Londoners are expressing unprecedented concern over AI’s potential impact on employment.
- A recent report reveals nearly half of London’s workers fear AI’s effect on their jobs within the next year.
- Long-term anxiety over AI is evident, with 61% worried about job impacts in the next five years.
- 8 million jobs across the UK could be at risk due to AI, according to the latest data.
- Londoners are proactively seeking AI-related training to secure future employment.
London is seeing a notable level of concern regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on employment. According to the latest Robert Half Jobs Confidence Index, nearly half (49%) of workers in the capital express anxiety about AI’s potential effect on their jobs within the next 12 months. This is significantly higher than the national average of 31%, highlighting the region’s unique position.
There is a marked long-term apprehension amongst London workers, with 61% fearing the implications of AI on their careers over the next three to five years. This figure is again the highest in the UK, surpassing the national average of 41%. These concerns are underpinned by recent findings from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), which indicate that as many as eight million jobs nationwide could be at risk due to the rise of AI.
In response to this uncertainty, a significant portion of the workforce in London is taking proactive steps to adapt. Robert Half’s data shows that 60% of Londoners plan to invest in AI-related training over the next five years to bolster their skills, a figure only slightly lower than Wales, where 62% plan to do the same. Furthermore, 54% are considering retraining to move into AI-specific roles, again trailing only Wales and well above the national average of 40%.
Chris Lawton, Vice President Permanent Placements UK & Ireland at Robert Half, emphasises the transformative impact AI could have on the workforce, particularly in professional and financial services prevalent in London. He notes that,
As AI continues to evolve, it remains crucial for both individuals and organisations in London to prepare and adapt to safeguard future employability.
