Artificial intelligence (AI) technology could be brought into public ownership, the Green Party’s deputy leader has suggested, reports BritPanorama.
Rachel Millward emphasized that AI should “serve communities” rather than being controlled by major corporations, which she described as “silicon valley proto-fascists.” Her comments came during an announcement that a Green Party government would immediately nationalize water companies, providing no compensation to shareholders.
Millward criticized the Prime Minister for delaying action against companies like Thames Water. At the Brighton conference, she declared, “(Andy) Burnham’s 10-year plan of gentle threats and vague notions of control is not enough.” The Wealden District Councillor noted that many water companies are already failing, leaving residents in Sussex often driving long distances to obtain bottled water due to dry taps.
She pointed out that during the 35 years of privatization, no major reservoirs have been built, stating, “Not a single major reservoir has been built in this country since the beginning of privatisation.” Millward announced that the Green Party would act swiftly to return South East Water and Thames Water to public ownership at no cost to the taxpayer. “Forget compensation for shareholders and creditors; these are insolvent companies. It’s time to take them back,” she said.
Millward further posed a provocative question: “So, what else could we take back? Imagine, for a second, that instead of new technology being owned by silicon valley proto-fascists, it was owned by us.” She advocated for an AI that would serve communities rather than the wealthy elite that influence political decisions.
In a related context, Burnham, speaking earlier at the Labour Party conference, proposed new legislation to repeal “Margaret Thatcher’s ideological ban on public ownership of water companies,” which he asserted would initiate a decade-long process fostering stronger public control. Mayors, he suggested, would gain “new powers to hold water companies to account,” with severe repercussions for those that fail consistently.
Additionally, the Green Party unveiled a policy this weekend aiming to guarantee a job for every young adult aged 18 to 24, with positions lasting up to two years and starting within four months of completing education or training, as announced by deputy leader Mothin Ali.
The conversations at these conferences reflect ongoing debates about the balance between corporate responsibility and public welfare, particularly within essential services.
