Move fast and fix things

The internet – once a beacon of democratisation and empowerment – has been captured by a minority. Its pioneers envisioned a world where anyone could participate in a global conversation. But a gradual concentration of power has recast technology as something done to us, rather than something we use to make things better.

Today, conversations in the media and corridors of power are dominated by those who serve private interests over public good. This has narrowed debates and normalised false dichotomies that ask us to choose between our values on the one hand, and growth and prosperity on the other. Labour must now lead the world in setting a progressive vision to reclaim technology as a force for people, communities and democracy. This means dispensing with zero-sum narratives about tech to forge a third way between US laissez-faire and EU underinvestment – securing a future where innovation and accountability are two sides of the same coin.

To compromise on neither our values nor our prosperity, Britain must become the trailblazer that it was during the first industrial revolution. This process has already started. Take OpenSafely, for instance. Developed during the Covid-19 pandemic as a collaboration between British public and private institutions, it allows researchers to analyse patient records without ever seeing them. It has saved countless lives. Such examples show that with the right safeguards and incentives, we can use technology for good.

However, there is still a way to go. Important decisions that that affect us all are being taken by firms who do not share our interests. This has been destabilising for our democracy, with unclear benefits to our economy. To become a leader in progressive tech, we must resist this outsized influence and remain unapologetic about our values.

Opening up the conversation can inject the dose of innovation we need. We must include civil society and entrepreneurs based in communities across the country. We can start by considering five key objectives. First, strengthening our sovereign technology capabilities. To lead a progressive race to the top globally, we must disentangle ourselves from interests that compromise our ability to act decisively. The UK must become a tech producer, not just a consumer, to become a rule maker rather than a rule taker. This means developing a vision for a sustainable and interoperable set of home-grown technologies that reflects our values (a ‘UK stack’), and mission-based public and private investment to develop it.

Second, championing inclusive and sustainable growth. Every tech firm doing business in the UK must recognise the importance of ensuring that people across the country feel better off as a result. This will require innovation hubs throughout the country, and an active state to ensure that everybody sees a fair share of the benefits. We must also prioritise digital, people-centred public services during this parliament, while maintaining safeguards that protect citizens from state intrusion –especially given the very real risk of the far-right.

Third, democratising participation and power. To foster a nation of innovators, we must tackle digital divides and share power to shape technology’s impact. No citizen, entrepreneur or public servant should be limited by a poor internet connection, restrictive technologies, or their background. This means we need a partnership between government, entrepreneurs, trade unions and civil society that empowers people and workers to use technology as a tool to build the life they want.

Fourth, fostering accountable innovation. We must reject the binary of heavy-handed regulation versus free-market control. Regulation must be agile and well targeted so that responsible innovation can thrive. To this end, we need stronger transparency mandates to enable regulators to respond proportionately to emerging risks. We need support for competition, including red lines so citizens feel safe and confident to try new services. And we need to address gaps in sectoral regulators’ powers and capacity.

Fifth, building global alliances. We must work with like-minded countries to regulate, tax and secure investment in a way that protects democracy. The government should identify and strengthen partnerships with countries that can help support this vision, and be a first mover in international governance developments.

A progressive technology policy is vital to governing effectively in the 21st century and securing re-election. The Labour government must seize the opportunity to lead with ambition. The next great industrial revolution is already underway. We can shape it, or be shaped by it.

Image credit: Kevin Ache via Unsplash