Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said artificial intelligence will significantly reshape labour markets, requiring governments to help workers adapt through reskilling and education reforms, while ensuring public trust and safety frameworks keep pace with rapid technological change.
Speaking on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Sunak said that AI is shifting from a purely technological discussion to a strategic priority for governments. He emphasised that political leaders must treat AI as a central governance responsibility rather than a niche policy issue.
Sunak welcomed the creation of AI security institutes, describing them as essential to managing technological risks and reassuring citizens. He said the global debate has evolved from what AI tools can do to how countries deploy them and integrate them into governance and public services.
Referring to historical technological revolutions, Sunak said leadership is determined not only by invention but by effective adoption and deployment. He observed that India’s emphasis on mass adoption, supported by its talent base, digital public infrastructure and public openness to technology, positions it strongly in the global AI landscape. He cited global rankings showing India emerging among the leading AI powers.
He said that India’s optimism toward AI is accompanied by greater anxiety in parts of the West, arguing that trust will be built through practical benefits delivered via public services. Improvements in healthcare delivery, education access and government responsiveness can make AI’s benefits tangible, he said.
Sunak explained that AI is a tool capable of expanding access to essential services, particularly healthcare and education, enabling underserved populations to benefit from high-quality resources. He said such applications can “lift the floor” of global development by reaching rural and disadvantaged communities.
At the same time, he acknowledged concerns about employment disruption. “Some jobs will go, but many more will be redesigned,” he said, adding that societies prosper when transitions are managed effectively. Governments, he said, should focus on redesigning education systems, embedding digital literacy and upskilling workers to reduce anxiety and support workforce mobility.
Highlighting India’s AI ecosystem, Sunak pointed to strong investment flows, frontier research activity, a deep talent pool and digital platforms such as Aadhaar, UPI and Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts as enabling large-scale deployment. He also said the country’s startup and venture ecosystem is a key driver of innovation.
Sunak highlighted the importance of AI safety oversight, stating that governments must independently assess risks rather than relying solely on technology developers. International collaboration and investment in safety capabilities, he said, are critical for public acceptance.
He also said there is a need for AI literacy and human-centric skills. Future workers must learn to manage AI systems while developing judgement, creativity and interpersonal capabilities. |
