Jun 4, 2025
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, a past member of the Trilateral Commission and a vocal advocate for technocratic ideals, is calling for Britain to fully embrace artificial intelligence in public services—or risk falling behind in what he describes as the most profound transformation since the Industrial Revolution. Speaking at the SXSW London festival, Blair claimed AI could revolutionize everything from healthcare to education, proposing a future in which AI doctors, nurses, and even tutors enhance efficiency and personalization. Merging government data across departments, he argued, could cut costs, speed up bureaucratic processes, and deliver more effective services to citizens. While acknowledging risks, Blair emphasized that governments must not be "squeamish" about AI’s potential, urging a complete reorganization of government around this technological shift.
Echoing Blair’s sentiments, UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle warned that resisting the AI revolution could render Britain “obsolete.” He pointed to government trials showing AI could relieve tens of thousands of civil servants from monotonous tasks like drafting documents and emails, freeing them for more critical work. Kyle also suggested that offering public datasets to private tech companies could drive scientific and medical breakthroughs unique to the UK. However, he cautioned that public trust will be essential for such data-sharing initiatives, implying that citizens must feel included in the process to grant the necessary "permission" for this AI-driven transformation to move forward.
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SOURCE: Technocracy News