AI will affect 8 million Jobs - this election is absolutely critical

With artificial intelligence advancing at a blistering pace, how we prepare for and manage the widespread disruption AI will cause to jobs and work is one of the most important issues facing the country.

The choices made by the next government could have profound impacts on businesses and workers for decades to come. That's why the competing visions laid out by Labour and the Conservatives on AI policy during this election campaign are absolutely critical.

Let's start with Labour's recently announced AI strategy. The opposition is proposing a holistic plan to not only support the development of AI innovations, but crucially, to help workers adapt and thrive amid the AI revolution. Some key elements include:

• A new government body to provide clear and consistent tech regulation to give businesses certainty while protecting the public interest.
• 10-year funding settlements for research and development to provide stability for long-term AI projects.
• Funding for AI skills and training programs to help workers reskill for AI-enabled jobs.
• An emphasis on deploying AI to boost productivity for small businesses.
• Consideration of AI's societal impacts like potential job displacement.

In contrast, the Conservative record has been a mixture of ambitious vision statements coupled with fragmented policies and initiatives that don't yet add up to a cohesive national strategy.

Their major AI policy paper sets an audacious goal for the UK to become a "Science and Technology Superpower" powered by safe AI development and adoption. Positive steps include establishing an AI Safety Institute, investing in AI research hubs, and outlining proposals for proportionate, context-based AI regulation.

However, there are concerning gaps when it comes to preparing the workforce. Beyond some limited skills funding, there is little substantive detail on retraining or protecting workers vulnerable to AI automation. The Conservatives seem more focused on the tech than on the human consequences.

To be fair, the Tories have tried tackling future-of-work issues like with a recent policy paper exploring AI's potential labour impacts. But bolder, concrete policies supporting AI's displaced workers simply haven't emerged.

Ultimately, whichever party forms the next government must pursue a dual-track strategy - promoting AI innovation to benefit our economy while simultaneously safeguarding disrupted employees with robust retraining and workforce transition plans.

Otherwise, we risk technological unemployment on a massive scale as AI eliminates millions of jobs with nothing in place to create new opportunities for those workers. The consequences for social unrest would be catastrophic.

For businesses too, managed workforce policies around AI are crucial for acquiring talent, promoting productivity growth, and avoiding debilitating labor shortages. Companies need certainty that policymakers understand both AI's promises and perils.

So while technical details like data sharing, intellectual property, and managing risks around advanced AI systems are enormously important, we mustn't lose sight of AI's human dimension. Policies creating optimism and security - not fear - around AI-driven labor changes are equally vital.

Labour's upskilling proposals and new bodies for structured policymaking are positive foundations. But bolder worker protections and transition assistance will likely be needed as AI accelerates.

The Conservatives' pro-innovation stance cultivates an AI-friendly business climate. But their workforce policies must markedly improve to earn businesses and employees' confidence.

Clearly, there's still much work ahead for both parties. But make no mistake - getting this issue right is pivotal for Britain's economic competitiveness and social fabric in the AI era. Our next government's philosophy and policies will be critical in shaping our AI-powered future of work.