Two of the United Kingdom‘s political titans have come together to call for a remaking of the British state in order to better capitalize on the new opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI), biotechnology and climate tech.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Conservative Party leader William Hague recently released a report lamenting the fact that “any ‘Brexit dividend’ is yet to be fulfilled”, and that “ministers have made a start on considering where UK regulation can be made more nimble and efficient in areas such as gene editing and clinical trials, but regulatory restrictions on innovation remain relatively high”.
In the report, Blair and Hague call for remaking the British state to spur innovation and reverse the country’s decline. They suggest a new ‘strategic state’ that would be able to swiftly identify and exploit new opportunities and create the conditions for businesses to succeed. The proposed state would focus on investing in key sectors such as AI, biotechnology and climate tech to drive economic growth and create jobs.
The report’s authors suggest that the new strategic state should be guided by four principles: collaboration, innovation, sustainability, and inclusion. Collaboration would involve better connecting skills, research and resources to drive transformation. Innovation would involve encouraging experimentation and risk-taking, while sustainability would involve investing in long-term solutions. Finally, inclusion would ensure that all citizens have access to the new economy’s benefits.
The report also emphasizes the importance of the government’s active role in shaping the economy’s future to ensure that the UK is included in the fourth industrial revolution.It recommends that the government focus on ensuring that all citizens have access to the latest technologies and investing in education, training and research to ensure that the UK is a key player in the inevitable transition.
Overall, the report paints an optimistic picture of the potential of the UK to drive innovation and economic growth, provided that the government adopts a proactive, strategic approach. This approach could involve a variety of measures, such as encouraging greater collaboration between business and government, investing in new technologies, and ensuring that all citizens have access to the benefits of the new economy.