Written by Johnathan Edwards.

In a surprising turn, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans to deploy artificial intelligence-powered police officers across the country. The goal? To enforce “thought crimes”—a term that is as chilling as it is vague. During his speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Starmer passionately advocated for AI’s role in reshaping Britain’s future. According to him, AI would turbocharge the economy, make the UK a global leader, and overhaul public services in the name of “change.”

But let’s break this down. What exactly does AI policing mean? Will we soon live in a society where our inner thoughts, beliefs, and opinions are scrutinized by machine learning algorithms? It’s unsettling to think about, but that seems to be where this plan is heading. Starmer envisions a future where AI is not just a tool for efficiency but a means to control and monitor citizens.

The Promise of AI: More Jobs or More Control?

Starmer insists that his “Plan for Change” is about economic prosperity: more jobs, increased investments, and “more money in people’s pockets.” But here’s the kicker—this “change” comes at a steep price. As we know all too well, technology isn’t free. It requires massive investments, and often, it leads to the loss of personal freedom. While AI may offer some short-term economic advantages, it’s the long-term social consequences that should give us pause.

Take, for example, the introduction of AI into law enforcement. As the government pushes forward with this initiative, it’s not just about creating jobs. It’s about handing over too much power to machines that might eventually be programmed to make decisions about who gets arrested based on their opinions, political beliefs, or even the content of their social media posts.

The AI Dystopia: A World Where Jobs Are Replaced and Privacy Is Gone

While AI might be able to boost efficiency in certain sectors, Starmer’s ambitions for AI-controlled policing have many people asking: what’s the cost of all this? According to reports, the government is looking to build a “National Data Library” to store vast amounts of public data, which could then be used to “train” AI systems for law enforcement. The data collected, of course, could include sensitive information about citizens’ behaviors, online activity, and interactions—essentially erasing any semblance of privacy.

But the reality is even more troubling. If AI is given the power to track and monitor citizens, we could find ourselves living in a society where every aspect of our lives is governed by algorithms designed to catch “wrongthink.” AI could replace real human interactions, making our relationships and communities more isolated and fractured.

The AI Vision: More Energy, More Power, and More Surveillance

To make this vision a reality, Starmer’s government is investing heavily in infrastructure, including nuclear reactors to power AI’s energy demands. These new “miniature nuclear reactors” will be placed in rural areas, which could cause significant public pushback. Imagine being told that a nuclear reactor is going up right next to your house. How would you feel about living in the shadow of such an installation for the sake of AI’s growth?

But the push for more energy and computing power doesn’t stop there. The UK’s Green Deal, which aligns with the global push for “Net Zero” carbon emissions, will require massive amounts of electricity. As Starmer accelerates this plan, more and more resources are funneled into an AI-driven future, leaving citizens to foot the bill.

Our Take

In a world where government overreach seems to be a growing concern, the UK’s AI ambitions are setting a dangerous precedent. What was once considered science fiction is now creeping into our daily lives. The introduction of AI as a policing force is not just about efficiency—it’s about control. With the rise of “thought crimes,” we could be entering an era where your opinions and beliefs are under constant surveillance.

The cost of this AI-driven future is staggering, not just in terms of money but in terms of personal freedoms. The government’s focus on AI, coupled with the drive for Net Zero and the expansion of surveillance technologies, is leading us down a path of greater control and less individual autonomy. It’s a slippery slope toward a future where the state holds all the power, and citizens are left with little to no say in their own lives.

As we watch these developments unfold, it’s important to ask ourselves: is this the kind of world we want to live in? Do we want to surrender our privacy, our freedom of thought, and our right to live without constant surveillance?

For those who value personal freedoms and privacy, this is a deeply concerning direction for the UK. The push for AI to control our lives, while cloaked in promises of economic progress, is a dangerous gamble with our basic rights. It’s time to question whether this “change” is truly in the best interests of the people or whether it’s just another step toward a more technocratic and authoritarian society.