Fears Keir Starmer’s push for AI could leave UK vulnerable to blackouts

A PUSH for A.I. announced yesterday by Sir Keir Starmer has sparked fears for the country’s power supply.

The PM vowed his action plan will “transform the lives of working people” by boosting public services like healthcare and education.

But concerns are mounting over the vast amounts of energy required to run artificial intelligence centres.

And Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho warned Labour could leave the UK vulnerable to blackouts.

Ms Coutinho told The Sun: “AI and data centres have the same needs as the British public — reliable, 24/7 power.

"That means building more reliable nuclear and gas power plants.”

However, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has blocked new drilling licences in the North Sea, prioritising wind and solar power instead.

Last night the Government said: “A new AI Energy Council will help bring industry together to explore clean energy technologies and the role of AI in our sustainable energy system.”

Meanwhile, News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith warned that weakening UK copyright laws to train AI will make it harder to realise its potential “huge benefits”.

Language models such as ChatGPT “learn” by consuming data including copyrighted material.