READING East MP Matt Rodda is keen to explore the possibilities that AI presents for the world, following his new appointment in the recent shadow cabinet reshuffle.
He has moved from pensions to become Labour’s shadow minister for artificial intelligence (AI) and intellectual property.
It is an emerging discipline, and Mr Rodda said he can see the challenges that await: “AI is a hugely important area. There are some amazing opportunities to help medical research.
“AI can allow sequencing of vast amounts of information and could help discover treatments.
“There is amazing potential in AI in a huge range of fields and could help to boost our economy.
“Genuinely, I’m honoured and delighted to move into this role.”
He said that part of the role will include looking at regulation as well as scrutinising government policies.
The MP, who was first elected in 2017, said the emerging technologies could bring benefits to the Thames Valley.
“I represent a seat that covers Reading and Woodley, lots of people in our area work in IT,” Mr Rodda said. “I’ve been speaking to all sorts of people, they are excited that someone working locally is on it.
“I’m very keen to listen to people who are working in emerging technology, it’s a really exciting area.
“It’s wonderful, I’m so lucky to be shadowing in this area of policy which has such a strong link to the Reading area.”
Mr Rodda’s brief included intellectual property theft, which can involve copying a person’s creations and producing counterfeit goods.
“I’m aware of the risks of harm to people’s intellectual property. It’s important to have the right level of regulation to diminish those risks,” he explained.
He serves under Peter Kyle, the Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and Labour MP for Hove. Both MPs are alumni of the University of Sussex in Brighton.
The government minister for AI and intellectual property is Jonathan Berry, 5th Viscount Camrose, a member of the House of Lords.
He works underneath Michele Donelan, secretary of state for science, innovation and technology and Conservative MP for Chippenham.
