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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) could usher in an “era of mass unemployment” in the UK capital if urgent steps are not taken to manage its impact.
Khan sounded the alarm on Thursday, joining growing global concerns over how AI could reshape the future of work. His remarks are expected to feature prominently in a speech later in the day, where he will outline both the risks and opportunities presented by the fast-evolving technology.
With London hosting a high concentration of finance, professional services, and creative industries, the city is “at the sharpest edge of change,” Khan is expected to say, according to excerpts released to the media.
Despite the warning, the Labour mayor will also highlight the “huge potential benefits” of AI if deployed responsibly. As part of his address, he is set to unveil a review examining AI’s impact on London’s labour market, alongside a programme offering free AI training to millions of Londoners.
Khan is expected to call for swift and coordinated action to harness AI’s benefits before it “becomes a weapon of mass destruction of jobs.”
Global Debate Intensifies
The wider debate over whether AI will ultimately destroy or create jobs remains unresolved.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office acknowledged on Thursday that AI is set to fundamentally transform the workplace. A Downing Street spokesperson said while some jobs would be more affected than others, the government intends to embrace the new roles and opportunities the technology is expected to generate.
International bodies have also raised concerns. The United Nations recently warned that AI and automation could worsen labour market challenges globally, particularly for educated young people in developed economies seeking entry into high-skilled professions.
What the Forecasts Say
Most expert projections suggest the changes will be gradual rather than sudden.
Management consultancy McKinsey estimates that by 2030, around 30 per cent of jobs in the United States could be automated, with up to 60 per cent undergoing significant transformation. Meanwhile, analysts at US research firm Gartner predict that AI will create more jobs than it eliminates by 2027.
As governments, businesses, and workers grapple with the implications, London’s warning adds urgency to the global conversation on preparing societies for an AI-driven future.
