AI 'will let us all work a four-day week', Keir Starmer's former chief secretary claims

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 17:07 EDT, 27 September 2026 | Updated: 18:19 EDT, 27 September 2026 Sir Keir Starmer's former chief secretary has said that most jobs will move to a four-day week within the next decade because of AI.Darren Jones, now a backbench Labour MP, said that it would mean workers could spend more time with their children and in the garden as a result.His positivity is in stark contrast to recent warnings by those within the industry that AI could 'kill us all'.Speaking at a New Statesman event at Labour's conference, he said it would be a 'really positive thing' if AI means people spend less time working.He said it was 'inevitable' that the technology would result in people doing 'less work' despite the industry already costing jobs.'I think you could see a four-day week within the next decade for most workers,' he said.'I think that would be a really positive thing, actually. 'If people then have a Friday, Saturday, Sunday off, or a Saturday, Sunday, Monday, or a Wednesday, or whatever, I think that sounds really good. Darren Jones pictured arriving in Downing Street to attend the final Cabinet meeting hosted by Sir Keir Starmer on July 15'More time with your kids, more time to do the washing, in the garden, whatever you do with your time. 'So long as you're able to maintain a salary that enables you to cover the cost of living. That's the key thing.'It comes after a leading AI safety researcher who has done work for Anthropic and OpenAI, warned that the technology could 'kill us all' by the end of the decade.Jacob Coxon quit his job and warned the public to 'not underestimate' its power - particularly if it becomes 'superintelligent'.Do YOU have a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk