Science advisers ‘struck’ by lack of evidence on AI impacts

The Council for Science and Technology has urged the government to commission research on the social and economic impacts of robotics, automation and artificial intelligence.

The CST, a high-level body advising the prime minister on science policy, has said it was “struck” by the lack of robust evidence about the social and economic impacts of these technologies, including on the labour market.

In a letter to prime minister Theresa May, dated 21 October and published on 28 November, the advisers say that, given the pace at which robotics, automation and artificial intelligence are evolving and becoming disruptive, “a clear policy will be required before definitive evidence can likely be gathered”.