“We need a tech sector that can innovate to benefit society, but it must be regulated to prevent harm” - Justine speaks on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

Transcript

Laura Kuenssberg:

For politicians and for the public, they're looking at, you know, artificial intelligence and AI and, you know, sometimes called the rise of the robots. I mean, the tension here for politicians is difficult, isn't it? And for all of us, because there are such massive opportunities and positives. If AI can look at a thousand cancer scans a day instead of individual members of staff only being able to look at far fewer. But how can governments balance the risks and the opportunities, Justine?

The Rt Hon Justine Greening:

I think it is important because we are at risk of not accessing those opportunities because the focus is so much on the risks. But I think the point that Peter Kyle made was a really interesting one, a sensible one, a bit like food manufacturers having to absolutely share the ingredients with regulators. Why shouldn't tech companies have to be more transparent around the coding so that we can build up a real sense of where risks lie? And I suspect this is where legislation will go. I think the Online Safety Bill is a really important step forward and I think everyone should welcome it, but I think what we're discussing today is the fact that that's part of how you create a safer world, particularly for our children, but it's not sufficient. And I think it's about getting that right balance between regulation of harmful activity but allowing a tech sector that can really provide benefits to wider society from being able to get on and do that innovation.