AI ‘could be as transformative as industrial revolution’

UK’s outgoing chief scientist urges ministers to ‘get ahead’ of profound social and economic changes

The new genre of AI could be as transformative as the industrial revolution, the government’s outgoing chief scientific adviser has said, as he urged Britain to act immediately to prevent huge numbers of people becoming jobless.

Sir Patrick Vallance, who stood down from his advisory role last month, said government should “get ahead” of the profound social and economic changes that ChatGPT-style, generative AI could usher in.