Londoners Fear AI’s impact on jobs as East Midlands at risk of falling behind AI curve

Workers across London are more concerned that AI will impact their job than any other region in the UK. That’s according to the latest Robert Half Jobs Confidence Index (JCI) – an economic confidence tracker produced in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).

Staff in the Capital are concerned as 8 million jobs are set to be lost to AI

The latest iteration of the report revealed that 49% of staff in the capital are concerned that AI will have a direct effect on their career in the next 12 months, the highest of all regions and well above the national average of 31%. The East Midlands recorded the second highest level of concern; however, this stands at just 35%, well below London’s levels.

Employees across the Capital also expressed the greatest level of apprehension in the long term, with almost two thirds (61%) concerned about the impact of AI on their job in the next three to five years. This is again the highest of all UK regions and above the national average of 41%.

This sentiment comes at a time when the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has released new data which suggests that up to eight million jobs are at risk in the UK due to AI.

Majority of Londoners planning to move into new AI roles

According to Robert Half’s data, the level of uncertainty around AI’s impact on jobs has led to workers in the Capital planning to proactively invest in their own AI related training in the next five years (60%), surpassed only by professionals in Wales (62%).

Just over half (56%) of Londoners are expecting employers to foot the bill for their AI training over the next five years. A further 54% are planning to retrain and move into AI related jobs or fields, the second highest levels recorded after Wales (59%) and well above the national average of 40%.

Chris Lawton, Vice President Permanent Placements UK & Ireland at Robert Half, commented:

“AI is on the cusp of creating a seismic shift in the workforce, but Londoners are clearly feeling the pressure more than anyone else, likely driven by the jobs in the Capital being weighted more towards professional and financial services than elsewhere in the country. With recent statistics suggesting job losses will be in the millions due to the rise of AI, it’s understandable that so many are hedging their bets and seeking to retrain and reskill. However, the emphasis shouldn’t just be on individuals supporting their own training. Businesses will ultimately be the ones to benefit from the best AI skills and potentially lose out due to a lack of the right resources.

“Employers must act now and ‘talent map’ their human capital, identifying skills gaps and ways to fill them – be it by internal upskilling programmes, bringing in interim experts for knowledge-sharing, or working with third sector organisations to explore new routes to acquiring unique and diverse talent. And with AI having the potential to impact every aspect of an organisation, employees will need to upskill sooner rather than later to secure their future employability. The notion of life-long learning and development has never been more critical.

“AI skills should be accessible to all, especially at a time when diversifying talent pools is fundamental. Businesses, education institutions, industry bodies and policy makers must work together to ensure no-one is left behind due to a lack of access to training as AI’s impact on the future of jobs continues to gain momentum.”

East Midlands at risk of falling behind the AI curve

Workers across the East Midlands reported the second highest level of concern over AI’s impact on their job, surpassed only by London. That’s according to the latest Robert Half Jobs Confidence Index (JCI) – an economic confidence tracker produced in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).

Over a third (35%) of professionals across the East Midlands reported that they were concerned as to the impact that artificial intelligence would have on their job in the next 12 months, above the national average of 31%. This level increases in longer term forecasts, with almost half (48%) raising concerns for the next six to ten years.

This news comes at a time when the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has released new data which suggests that up to eight million jobs are at risk in the UK due to AI.

Despite this level of concern, only a handful (21%) of workers in the region revealed plans to proactively seek AI related training themselves in the next two years. This is one of the lowest levels recorded across the UK and is below the national average of 28%. When compared with London – where over a third (35%) of staff are investing in their own training – the levels reported in the East Midlands suggest the region could be falling behind the AI curve.

The data also revealed that more workers in the region are hoping their employer will manage their AI skills development in the next two years, with a quarter (25%) stating that they expect their firm to plan for (and provide) AI training.

Dan Atkins, Branch Director, Midlands at Robert Half, commented:

“Generative AI holds the potential to boost profitability and operational efficiency for businesses in the East Midlands. And this new technology will inevitably have a profound impact on the future of jobs in the region, yet not all roles will be affected at the same pace. Certain knowledge worker jobs will become more efficient by the augmentation of task output, while others will likely be completely automated, even replaced, while entirely new types of roles will be created too.

“In any case, for more workers to prosper in the new digital economy and for businesses to make the most of this new technology era, it all comes down to acquiring the necessary AI skills. And whether due to a lack of awareness, initiative or finances, it is concerning to see that workers in the East Midlands are among the least likely to proactively seek AI training and development opportunities in the country.

“Nonetheless, it is not only down to the individual employee to figure it out. Businesses, education institutions, industry bodies and policy makers do need to work together to ensure no-one is left behind due to a lack of awareness or access to training as AI’s impact on jobs gains momentum.

“AI is going to impact us all both personally and professionally, and I would encourage everyone, regardless of experience and job role, to proactively approach generative artificial intelligence with curiosity and seek ways to gain the relevant skills to secure their future employability and be better prepared to navigate the future of work with confidence.”