Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added another to-do list when he set foot on British soil after returning from Washington. It’s about saving the world from robots.
The prime minister promised to work with President Biden on the safety of artificial intelligence as part of the Atlantic Agreement signed in the American capital two weeks ago.
AI is the latest frontier in human advancement for tech companies, but it also has a darker side.
Together, the United States and the United Kingdom have the leverage to ensure the setting of international standards.
Some of the world’s biggest tech companies say they need to fully understand how their emerging AI systems work.
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When new technology’s most ardent proponents call for regulation, we need to stop and pay attention.
It will take time, but many cautious voices in the AI industry say we don’t.
Whether AI will save humanity or end it, experts say, Britain has a rich history of technological innovation and will lead the way.
Regulation will play an important role in ensuring the safety of AI.
Effective regulation provides certainty, which supports investment and innovation.
Acting too early, intervention risks stifling innovation. Too late and you risk harming the consumer.
Discrimination in algorithms is also a real issue to manage.
Of course, AI is nothing new. Chat GTP made headlines last year, but most industries have been using AI for years.
John Lewis opened the UK’s first automated warehouse in 2009, and many others have followed.
But for our business, AI will never replace the uniqueness of human connectivity and senses.
Tastes, smells and textures are so important to experience our food and the creativity of our John Lewis designer that robots will never outsmart our chefs in coming up with new culinary combinations.
The John Lewis Partnership is a business based on relationships and emotional connections.
It’s the serendipitous moments you get when you meet people, the personal touch in serving you.
It is the human connection that makes this partnership built on trust and intimacy with customers who feel they have a stake in the business.
That’s because our employees (also called partners) own the business.
Of course, companies need to adopt new technologies in order to modernize and meet the needs of their customers.
The John Lewis Partnership has a history of betting on innovation. We entered online retail earlier than many companies.
AI can help keep inventory flowing throughout your business in the most efficient way.
It also helps make life easier for customers by recommending what products they like based on their preferences.
But we always choose human connection, creativity and the power of our senses.
In a human-centric business like ours, robots won’t take over, so don’t ignore humans just yet.
Sharon White is Chairman of The John Lewis Partnership and former CEO of Ofcom.
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