Adam Lake

I read the Tony Blair essay last night. I thought it was a really clear articulation of the challenges faced not just by Britain, but the world. I found myself agreeing, strongly, with about 90% of it. I am stunned by the response today. Now living in the US, I'm significantly less connected to the UK vibe, but I'm pretty astonished at the blinkers so many supposed political leaders force on themselves. The main rebuttal seems to be that these global changes aren't as fun to talk about as traditional town hall politics. As Blair sets out, only utter irrelevance will come from this. In the US, there are similar challenges, and too often politicians look to simplify the global situation. The difference is the private sector in the US is so vast, the scale and speed is so strong in these emerging markets, that it doesn't hold progress back. The UK will never compete with the US or China on the AI revolution, but it is best placed to be a strong third. For the size of our economy, that should be seen as our number one pursuit. To say, "Why are you talking about AI when you should be focussing on the NHS and the cost of living" shows a level of naivety that is crushing. If those voices lead the conversation in the UK, its future is bleak. It is the flat earth equivalent. Whether you like it or not, that is the reality. We can embrace it and reap the benefits for society, or ignore it and forever be a poor follower.

I read the Tony Blair essay last night. I thought it was a really clear articulation of the challenges faced not just by Britain, but the world. I found myself agreeing, strongly, with about 90% of it. I am stunned by the response today. Now living in the US, I'm significantly less connected to the UK vibe, but I'm pretty astonished at the blinkers so many supposed political leaders force on themselves. The main rebuttal seems to be that these global changes aren't as fun to talk about as traditional town hall politics. As Blair sets out, only utter irrelevance will come from this. In the US, there are similar challenges, and too often politicians look to simplify the global situation. The difference is the private sector in the US is so vast, the scale and speed is so strong in these emerging markets, that it doesn't hold progress back. The UK will never compete with the US or China on the AI revolution, but it is best placed to be a strong third. For the size of our economy, that should be seen as our number one pursuit. To say, "Why are you talking about AI when you should be focussing on the NHS and the cost of living" shows a level of naivety that is crushing. If those voices lead the conversation in the UK, its future is bleak. It is the flat earth equivalent. Whether you like it or not, that is the reality. We can embrace it and reap the benefits for society, or ignore it and forever be a poor follower.

I read the Tony Blair essay last night. I thought it was a really clear articulation of the challenges faced not just by Britain, but the world. I found myself agreeing, strongly, with about 90% of it. I am stunned by the response today. Now living in the US, I'm significantly less connected to the UK vibe, but I'm pretty astonished at the blinkers so many supposed political leaders force on themselves. The main rebuttal seems to be that these global changes aren't as fun to talk about as traditional town hall politics. As Blair sets out, only utter irrelevance will come from this. In the US, there are similar challenges, and too often politicians look to simplify the global situation. The difference is the private sector in the US is so vast, the scale and speed is so strong in these emerging markets, that it doesn't hold progress back. The UK will never compete with the US or China on the AI revolution, but it is best placed to be a strong third. For the size of our economy, that should be seen as our number one pursuit. To say, "Why are you talking about AI when you should be focussing on the NHS and the cost of living" shows a level of naivety that is crushing. If those voices lead the conversation in the UK, its future is bleak. It is the flat earth equivalent. Whether you like it or not, that is the reality. We can embrace it and reap the benefits for society, or ignore it and forever be a poor follower.

I read the Tony Blair essay last night. I thought it was a really clear articulation of the challenges faced not just by Britain, but the world. I found myself agreeing, strongly, with about 90% of it. I am stunned by the response today. Now living in the US, I'm significantly less connected to the UK vibe, but I'm pretty astonished at the blinkers so many supposed political leaders force on themselves. The main rebuttal seems to be that these global changes aren't as fun to talk about as traditional town hall politics. As Blair sets out, only utter irrelevance will come from this. In the US, there are similar challenges, and too often politicians look to simplify the global situation. The difference is the private sector in the US is so vast, the scale and speed is so strong in these emerging markets, that it doesn't hold progress back. The UK will never compete with the US or China on the AI revolution, but it is best placed to be a strong third. For the size of our economy, that should be seen as our number one pursuit. To say, "Why are you talking about AI when you should be focussing on the NHS and the cost of living" shows a level of naivety that is crushing. If those voices lead the conversation in the UK, its future is bleak. It is the flat earth equivalent. Whether you like it or not, that is the reality. We can embrace it and reap the benefits for society, or ignore it and forever be a poor follower.

I read the Tony Blair essay last night. I thought it was a really clear articulation of the challenges faced not just by Britain, but the world. I found myself agreeing, strongly, with about 90% of it. I am stunned by the response today. Now living in the US, I'm significantly less connected to the UK vibe, but I'm pretty astonished at the blinkers so many supposed political leaders force on themselves. The main rebuttal seems to be that these global changes aren't as fun to talk about as traditional town hall politics. As Blair sets out, only utter irrelevance will come from this. In the US, there are similar challenges, and too often politicians look to simplify the global situation. The difference is the private sector in the US is so vast, the scale and speed is so strong in these emerging markets, that it doesn't hold progress back. The UK will never compete with the US or China on the AI revolution, but it is best placed to be a strong third. For the size of our economy, that should be seen as our number one pursuit. To say, "Why are you talking about AI when you should be focussing on the NHS and the cost of living" shows a level of naivety that is crushing. If those voices lead the conversation in the UK, its future is bleak. It is the flat earth equivalent. Whether you like it or not, that is the reality. We can embrace it and reap the benefits for society, or ignore it and forever be a poor follower.