AI news: CBI urges creation of AI commission in 2018

The CBI (Confederation of British Industry) is asking the government to launch an AI commission in 2018 to examine the effect of artificial intelligence on jobs. The CBI, an organisation that speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses across the UK, has released a report titled'Disrupting the Future' which highlights how firms and the government must pave the way for the adoption of new technologies. It has called on the government to establish a joint commission in early 2018 involving business, employee representatives, academics and a minister to examine the impact of AI on people and jobs. It also hopes the commission will be able to set out an action plan to outline how to raise productivity, spread prosperity and open up new paths to economic growth. Josh Hardie, CBI deputy director-general, said: "The UK must lead the way in adopting these technologies but we must also prepare for their impacts. That's why we urge the Government to set up a joint commission on Artificial Intelligence in 2018, involving both business and employee representatives, to better understand the impact on people's lives, jobs and our future economic growth." The group said that only a third of businesses say their company has the skills and capabilities needed to adopt AI technologies and that blockchain can be used across sectors and will require regulator co-ordination to set clear standards. Furthermore, the main concern for businesses looking to use the IoT is the security and privacy of the devices involved.