Labour MP Darren Jones has said artificial intelligence could pose a major threat to the UK economy if badly managed — but also become one of the country’s biggest opportunities if government, business and workers adapt successfully.
Jones argued that Britain faces a clear economic challenge from an ageing population and a smaller proportion of people in work paying tax, making productivity growth increasingly important.
Writing on X, he said:
“AI could be a huge threat to the UK economy - but it could also be one of Britain’s biggest opportunities.”
He said the answer was to use new technology to create more wealth, improve the efficiency of public services and ensure workers and young people have the skills needed to benefit from technological change.
“With an ageing population and fewer people paying tax, the challenge is clear: create more wealth, use AI to deliver public services more efficiently, and make sure workers and young people have the skills to benefit.”
Jones made the comments while highlighting his appearance on the BBC’s Question Time, where the economic consequences of artificial intelligence were discussed.
His intervention comes amid a wider debate over whether AI will displace large numbers of existing jobs or instead boost productivity and create new industries and forms of employment.
Jones argued that Britain should approach the technological shift with ambition rather than retreat from it.
“Britain must seize the opportunities of this technological revolution, just as it has done before.”
The comments align with Labour’s wider emphasis on skills, productivity and technological investment as ministers seek to raise economic growth and improve public services.
The Government has also been placing greater emphasis on ensuring young people have stronger technical skills and practical routes into work, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently warning that too many young people are being left without a clear route into employment.
For Jones, the challenge is to make sure AI increases Britain’s economic capacity while ensuring the benefits are shared by workers and communities rather than leaving people behind.
His argument is that technological change is inevitable — but whether it becomes a threat or an opportunity will depend on the choices Britain makes now.
