One of Reading’s MPs has expressed his excitement about getting stuck into his new role scrutinising government policy on AI.

Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, has recently been appointed Shadow Minister for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intellectual Property.

He expressed his excitement to work in the emerging policy area in an interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Mr Rodda said: “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.”

Shedding light on what the role will involve, he said: “Part of my role will be looking at making sure there is sensible regulation as well as scrutinising the government.”

Mr Rodda also reflected on the importance of emerging technologies such as AI to Reading, which is becoming a growing hub for IT.

He said: “I represent a seat that covers Reading and Woodley, lots of people in our area work in IT.

“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 also answered concerns about intellectual property theft, which can involve copying a person’s creations and producing counterfeit goods.

He said: “I’m aware of the risks of harm to people’s intellectual property, but overall it’s really exciting.

“There are some risks as well, so it’s important to have the right level of regulation to diminish those risks.”

The LDRS also asked him what he would expect to be doing if Labour wins the next election and he becomes the minister for AI and Intellectual Property.

Mr Rodda replied: “I don’t want to speculate on that.”

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.

His responsibilities include managing copyright tribunals, the Office for AI and the Intellectual Property Office.

Viscount Camrose works underneath Michele Donelan, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and Conservative MP for Chippenham.