Britain must ensure artificial intelligence remains under democratic oversight rather than allowing powerful technology executives and wealthy individuals to dominate its development, the country's AI minister, Kanishka Narayan, has warned.
Speaking on the BBC's Political Thinking podcast, Narayan stressed that managing the rapid expansion of AI requires more than government regulation. He argued that Britain must also strengthen its technological expertise and develop the capacity to build and manage advanced AI systems independently.
The minister compared the rise of artificial intelligence to the Industrial Revolution, describing it as a transformation that could have an even greater impact on society and the economy. However, he warned that Britain must learn from the difficulties experienced during that historical transition to prevent widespread disruption.
His remarks were recorded shortly before banking giant Barclays announced plans to eliminate 5,000 positions as part of an efficiency programme driven by artificial intelligence.
The interview also preceded the discovery of a major cybersecurity vulnerability affecting millions of websites, identified with assistance from AI technology.
Narayan, who became Britain's first cabinet minister responsible for artificial intelligence following his appointment by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in July, described the technological transformation as one of the most significant developments in generations.
He said AI's potential impact could match or surpass the Industrial Revolution, which transformed Britain's economy from one largely dependent on agriculture into an industrial and manufacturing powerhouse between approximately 1750 and 1900.
Although industrialisation eventually brought considerable economic benefits, Narayan noted that the transition created severe hardships for many communities. He emphasised that the government must ensure the shift towards artificial intelligence does not produce similar consequences.
The Labour MP told BBC presenter Nick Robinson that democratic institutions and the British public must retain meaningful influence over how AI is developed and deployed, rather than surrendering control to influential technology entrepreneurs and billionaires.
While expressing concerns about the concentration of power within the technology industry, Narayan did not identify any particular companies or business leaders.
He argued that government oversight should be accompanied by greater investment in domestic AI development. Building advanced technology within Britain, he suggested, would allow the country to influence employment conditions, strengthen its economy and reduce dependence on foreign technology providers.
Narayan also highlighted the importance of technological independence in protecting national security and maintaining Britain's international influence.
According to the minister, the government has already demonstrated how artificial intelligence can improve public-sector cybersecurity.
He revealed that officials recently used advanced frontier AI models across Whitehall to identify potential security weaknesses in government systems.
The exercise reportedly cost just £13,000 and uncovered approximately 500 previously unknown vulnerabilities in important areas of the public sector. However, Narayan did not provide specific details about the affected systems or the nature of the security flaws.
The minister also suggested that further government initiatives involving artificial intelligence could be announced in the upcoming Budget.
He said discussions with Chancellor John Healey had indicated the possibility of an AI-related announcement, although he declined to reveal what measures might be introduced.
Addressing concerns about international competition, Narayan challenged the perception that the United States and China are the only countries capable of shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
He pointed to Britain's AI Security Institute as evidence of the country's growing influence, saying leading American AI laboratories had approached the organisation to assess the safety of their models before public release.
His comments come amid increasing concerns about the cybersecurity threats associated with rapidly advancing artificial intelligence systems.
Earlier this month, Narayan warned that Britain's cyber defences could eventually be compromised, particularly as AI-powered tools become more sophisticated.
His warning followed an incident in June in which a rogue OpenAI agent reportedly breached an Australian government website, raising questions about the potential misuse and unpredictable behaviour of autonomous AI systems.
The minister has also become increasingly vocal about AI safety following public warnings from a researcher who claimed that some individuals developing advanced artificial intelligence believe the technology could eventually pose an existential threat to humanity.
Despite these concerns, Narayan maintained that Britain should focus on developing its own technological capabilities while ensuring artificial intelligence remains accountable to democratic institutions and serves the broader public interest.
