As the UK government rolls out trial runs of AI technology to automate public service delivery, TechBullion caught up with Steven George-Hilley, founder of Centropy PR to discuss the impact these changes will have on crucial government services.
How are things at Centropy PR?
It’s been a frantic and exciting first half of the year. We’ve picked up five new global clients as well as several retained wins in the UK market. It’s no secret that the tech industry has suffered a sharp downturn in the last couple of years, but we’ve kept our heads down and focused on delivering the highest quality work for clients.
We’ve also been out and about a lot, hosting a client lunch at The Savoy with the AI Minister Feryal Clark MP (pictured) where we learned about the government’s action plan for deploying the technology to drive economic growth. I’ve also been chairing several events in the House of Lords on fintech and the cyber crime threat, as well as giving presentations to delegates at InfoSecurity Europe.
Is the government on the right track with its AI strategy?
The AI Minister and her colleague Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science and Technology are both big thinkers and have so far impressed business owners by their vision around reaping the benefits of artificial intelligence.
They have recently tested a new programme where over 20,000 civil servants took part in a government-led trial using generative AI to support their daily work. Initial results have revealed that time savings in the region of nearly two working weeks per person each year have been disclosed.
This data is encouraging as it underlines the impact AI can have on productivity and efficiency across key departments. Imagine, for example, if this trial was rolled out across the NHS or Department for Work and Pensions. Backlogs could be cleared, massive costs could be saved, and we could have in place a much faster, more efficient public sector.
What are the biggest challenges facing the rollout of AI?
AI has many obvious benefits but also some major challenges, particularly around security risks, privacy and data leakage. Imagine, for example, if a hacker was able to break in to and exploit AI code, triggering a major crisis in key public services such as healthcare. The cyber attack wouldn’t just cost money and time; it would cost lives.
Regulation also stands in the way, our country suffers from over-regulation, high taxes and under investment. Tech companies need to feel free to develop the latest AI products without fear of being slaughtered by one of the many quangos and watchdogs we have overseeing the business community.
Britain cannot afford to fall behind in the global tech race. It’s time to wake up and realise that AI is here to stay and the economies that harness it to drive growth will reap the rewards for the long term.
Steven George-Hilley is the founder of Centropy PR, a global tech and fintech agency with offices in London and San Diego.
