The Robotic Revolution Centre Write
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STEVE HILTON MATT HANCOCK MP on technology, populism on preparing Britain for the and Tory modernisation rest of the 21st century Centre Write The robotic revolution Summer 2016 | 1 caroline spelman mp | matthew taylor | vicky ford mep | matthew elliott Contents Editorial A click closer Editor’s letter Kulveer Ranger 12 Laura Round 4 Director’s note tEChnology and EthiCS Ryan Shorthouse 5 Snooper’s Charter or democratic surveillance? thE nEW EConomy Paul Bernal 14 Raising expectations for employment A changing childhood Matthew Taylor 6 Sue Palmer 15 Skills for the future A health-care revolution? Alan Mak MP 7 Dr Tania Mathias MP 17 Skype session with... Martin Ford Don’t look up! Martin Ford 9 Lord Hodgson 18 Starting up Britain The Russian Bear? Romilly Dennys 10 Dr Andrew Foxall and Emily Taylor 20 Bright Blue is an independent think tank and pressure group for liberal conservatism. Director: Ryan Shorthouse Page 28 The Centre Write Chair: Matthew d’Ancona interview: Steve hilton Board of Directors: Rachel The Times Johnson, Alexandra Jezeph, Diane Banks & Phil Clarke Editor: Laura Round Page 6 matthew taylor discusses the Modern www.brightblue.org.uk Employment Review Printers: Aquatint, www.aquatint.co.uk Cover and typesetting: Eleanor Hyland-Stanbrook SWitChEd on Bright BluE politiCS The Brexit wake-up call Preparing Britain for the Why I’m a Bright Blue MP Christophe Premat 39 rest of the 21st Century The Rt Hon Dame Can Brexit unite as well The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP 23 Caroline Spelman MP 32 as divide? Anxious about automation? Driving off into the future Sunder Katwala 41 Matthew d’Ancona 24 Sam Hall 33 Bringing broadband to all Bright Blue research update Nigel Huddleston MP 25 James Dobson 34 Tweeting with Trump BookS & artS John Higginson 27 Exhibition: Robots BrExit CornEr Fiona Smith 43 We’re all Brexiteers now All Out War (Tim Shipman) thE intErviEW Matthew Elliott 36 Michael Hough 44 The Centre Write interview: Ensuring creativity reigns Cleverlands (Lucy Crehan) Steve Hilton 28 Vicky Ford MEP 37 Ryan Shorthouse 45 Page 23 the rt hon matt hancock mp on how Britain can play to its historic strengths whilst looking to the future Page 32 the rt hon dame Caroline Spelman mp on why she shares Bright Blue’s vision Huffington Post Page 36 matthew Elliott discusses how people are putting the referendum behind them Page 37 vicky Ford mEp on the future of the Digital Single Market Editorial laura round is the Editor’s letter Editor of Centre Write and Communications Manager at Bright Blue From the role of digital in the workplace and our social politicians and policymakers to acknowledge the sheer lives to the invisible threat of cybercrime, technological scale and urgency of the task that stands before them. progress is revolutionising the way we work, communicate Whilst we try to grapple with the digital age, Kulveer and live. Academics warn that automation is likely to Ranger (p.12) points out the opportunities digital change cause mass unemployment. In fact, Bill Gates has hinted brings for interaction between individuals and services both at the possibility of taxing robots. Former CIA Director in the private and public sectors. In the UK, the digital John Brennan recently stated that the next spark that technology sector is emerging as a global force, however leads to war won’t occur on the ground or in the air, Romilly Dennys from Coadec (p.10) says that bold action but in the cyber domain. The technological revolution is required from the Government to ensure that one of the is creating just as many challenges as benefits. UK’s fastest-growing sectors can reach its full potential. The A tide of technological change is sweeping through public Minister for Digital and Culture, the Rt Hon Matt Hancock and private life that we all need to navigate. The question MP (p.23), says Government recognises the need for a global is whether politics is keeping up. The Government’s new Britain post-Brexit and stresses the importance of seeking modern industrial strategy recognises the importance out new markets, new methods, and new technologies of developing the digital infrastructure and skills for the that will provide the jobs and incomes of the future. UK to have a thriving digital economy. This is welcome, There are many ethical questions around technological yet for many politicians technology and digitalisation is advancements. Is our privacy adequately protected on the clearly not in their comfort zone. In fact, some Members internet? Is ‘social media’ making us less social? Author Sue of Parliament still refuse to use email. Technology is Palmer (p.15) warns us of the negative effects technology is always going to be ahead of politics, because of its inherent having on children’s development. Lord Hodgson (p.18) urges innovative and fast-moving nature. However, in order to the ethical implications of drone warfare to be considered. stay competitive globally, it is important for politicians Technology is also posing challenges for international to engage more with the subject and to champion the relations. There is a growing awareness that digital age. So this edition of Centre Write explores the cyberattacks are being used to manipulate outcomes technological advancement and the wider implications it of democratic processes. Henry Jackson Society’s Dr has on business, public services, foreign affairs and ethics. Andrew Foxall and Chatham House’s Emily Taylor Matthew Taylor (p.6) updates us on the Government’s (p.20) debate just how much power Putin has. ongoing review of modern employment and touches on I interviewed former director of strategy for David the challenges that have arisen from a changing labour Cameron, Steve Hilton (p.28) about the relationship market. Alan Mak MP (p.7) discusses the Fourth Industrial between technology and politics. Steve argues that people Revolution and what parliament needs to do to help our want more control over politics, especially now that economy tackle the challenge of automation. Indeed, there are technology has allowed them to have much more control over concerns that automation will lead to mass unemployment. other parts of their lives. We also discussed the future of Tory In my Skype chat with American futurist and author modernisation and the Conservative Party under Theresa May. Martin Ford (p.9), he predicts many jobs, including high- This edition of Centre Write highlights how technological skilled jobs, will be lost due to artificial intelligence and revolution is leading us to call into question every aspect advocates a basic income guarantee. Bright Blue’s chair of our lives. I hope the magazine demonstrates both the Matthew d’Ancona (p.24) writes that it’s time for businesses, challenges and opportunities of the digital age. • 4 | Centre Write Editorial director’s note checking Twitter, some quick employment. The truth is that we research on the internet, looking don’t know what the net effect Ryan Shorthouse up your location on Google Maps of future automation will be on — is now vital to survive and the labour market. Many jobs succeed in the modern world. will be replaced, just like in the There is troubling inequity in access past, but it’s worth remembering ryan shorthouse is the to important technologies – medical that what evidence we do have Director of Bright Blue treatments or high-speed internet, from history suggests that for example. High costs, limited technology — in aggregate terms availability or poor skills are all — generates rather destroys jobs. Oh, to be able to rest, just for a factors that policymakers need to be As for negative psychological while. But no. The Prime Minister — and to be fair are — addressing. effects of technology – from has, surprisingly, called a General But there is a body of thinking lengthy screen time to constant Election. Britain faces its third that now questions whether checking of social media — the consecutive year of national technological advance is in fact evidence around this is, I’m afraid, political scrapping. Liberalism generally positive, highlighting nascent and inconclusive. And may be under attack in the UK negative consequences for the labour what about menacing robots and across the Western world, market and our brains. There are usurping power from humans? but democracy is in vogue. warnings, from respected academics I’ll leave that to sci-fi films. The Prime Minister has framed and mainstream politicians, that Best not to be complacent, of the election narrowly: about giving automation will lead to mass course. Admittedly, technology her the mandate to get the best unemployment. Some scientists, has enabled new problems possible Brexit deal. Our future albeit a minority, are worried about and exacerbated existing ones: relationship with the EU is now a how screen time changes cognitive cyberattacks; terrorism; child vital and dominant issue in British functioning, especially in children. abuse; the pornification of sexual politics. But Tory modernisers As artificial intelligence develops, relations; the polarisation and need a new mantra: stop banging there are also concerns about vitriol of political discourse. on about Europe all the time. human power relative to robots. The challenges policymakers must There are urgent public policy There are two problems grapple with constantly change, issues — from the sustainability with this techno-scepticism. sometimes because of their success, of our social care system to First, technological advance but often because of shifts and decarbonising our economy — has sat alongside – indeed, in surprises. Politics — the priorities, that require deeper thinking and many instances, created – vast the personnel and, most of all, the discussion from conservative decision improvements in most people’s public – change too. In the past makers. The Tory election manifesto health, opportunities, education few years, rather quite a lot.