London's AI Challenge: Will Sadiq Khan's Warning Be Heeded?
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform the job market, London Mayor Sadiq Khan is sounding a stark warning: if ministers don't act now, swathes of jobs will disappear and "usher in a new era of mass unemployment". In his annual Mansion House speech on Thursday night, Khan highlighted the capital's reliance on white-collar workers in finance, creative industries, and professional services, where 70% of skills are expected to change by 2030.
Khan's warning echoes concerns that AI could lead to widespread job losses, particularly among entry-level and junior positions. However, he also sees huge potential benefits from AI for public services and productivity across the economy. "AI could enable us to transform our public services, turbocharge productivity and tackle some of our most complex challenges," he will say.
The London mayor's call to action is aimed at business leaders and government ministers, urging them to seize the potential of AI as a tool for positive transformation and creation or risk it becoming a "weapon of mass destruction" for jobs. Khan has announced plans to launch a London taskforce on AI and the future of work, which will assess the impact of AI on London's jobs market and offer free AI training for Londoners.
Meanwhile, City Hall polling suggests that over half of workers in London expect AI to affect their jobs in some way within the next 12 months. The UK is also bracing itself for up to 3m low-skilled job losses by 2035 due to automation and AI, according to a charity report. However, experts have expressed mixed views on how many jobs AI can replace, with some arguing that human collaboration and judgment remain essential for complex tasks.
As the debate around AI's impact on jobs continues, Khan's warning serves as a timely reminder of the need for proactive action to mitigate its effects. The question is whether his words will be heeded by policymakers and business leaders alike.
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform the job market, London Mayor Sadiq Khan is sounding a stark warning: if ministers don't act now, swathes of jobs will disappear and "usher in a new era of mass unemployment". In his annual Mansion House speech on Thursday night, Khan highlighted the capital's reliance on white-collar workers in finance, creative industries, and professional services, where 70% of skills are expected to change by 2030.
Khan's warning echoes concerns that AI could lead to widespread job losses, particularly among entry-level and junior positions. However, he also sees huge potential benefits from AI for public services and productivity across the economy. "AI could enable us to transform our public services, turbocharge productivity and tackle some of our most complex challenges," he will say.
The London mayor's call to action is aimed at business leaders and government ministers, urging them to seize the potential of AI as a tool for positive transformation and creation or risk it becoming a "weapon of mass destruction" for jobs. Khan has announced plans to launch a London taskforce on AI and the future of work, which will assess the impact of AI on London's jobs market and offer free AI training for Londoners.
Meanwhile, City Hall polling suggests that over half of workers in London expect AI to affect their jobs in some way within the next 12 months. The UK is also bracing itself for up to 3m low-skilled job losses by 2035 due to automation and AI, according to a charity report. However, experts have expressed mixed views on how many jobs AI can replace, with some arguing that human collaboration and judgment remain essential for complex tasks.
As the debate around AI's impact on jobs continues, Khan's warning serves as a timely reminder of the need for proactive action to mitigate its effects. The question is whether his words will be heeded by policymakers and business leaders alike.
- it can save us so much time and make our lives easier, but at the same time, it's gonna take away some jobs, man... 
to show how AI can affect jobs: 
, but others can be augmented with AI to make them better and more efficient 
. We need to focus on developing skills that are hard to automate, like creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking 
.
. If we do that, AI can help us create new jobs and opportunities, rather than just taking away old ones 
.
. Can't we just find ways to upskill and reskill people instead of relying on governments and big companies to save us? 
And what's with all this talk of "transformation" and "turbocharging productivity"? Just sounds like corporate jargon to me 
.
I mean, 70% of skills are expected to change by 2030? That's crazy! What's gonna happen to all the creative people in London? The ones who actually create stuff? I don't think AI can replicate art or music or design... or can it? 
It's not like they're asking for much... just a chance to keep their jobs and contribute to society.
.
️. What's gonna happen to all the people who've worked hard their whole lives in those fields? I know it sounds old-fashioned, but isn't there somethin' we can do to help 'em adapt? I'm not sayin' AI's all bad or nothin', but let's make sure we're thinkin' about the people who are gonna be affected by it, ya know? 
, it can totally change the game and bring in so much efficiency & innovation, but at the same time, it's gonna take some jobs away 
. But at the same time, I think it's great that Khan is trying to push for AI training and taskforce 
or is it just a natural part of progress 
?