London Mayor Warns AI Could Trigger Mass Unemployment, Announces Training Initia

LONDON, Jan 15 — Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that London risks "an era of mass unemployment" due to artificial intelligence, urging swift action to harness benefits and offering free AI training to millions of residents.

Khan made the comments in a speech outlining the opportunities and risks posed by the technology.

He said London is "at the sharpest edge of change" as it hosts a large number of finance, professional services and creative jobs.

Khan pointed to "huge potential benefits" of AI if used responsibly.

The mayor urged action before the technology "becomes a weapon of mass destruction of jobs".

He unveiled a review into AI's impact on the capital's jobs market alongside free AI training for millions of Londoners.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said on Thursday that "AI is going to reshape the world of work".

A Downing Street spokesperson added that some jobs will be more impacted than others, but new roles will be created.

The United Nations recently warned AI could exacerbate global labour market challenges.

It said this is particularly true for educated young people in wealthier countries seeking high-skill jobs.

Most forecasts predict gradual change.

Management consultancy McKinsey recently forecast 30% of US jobs could be automated by 2030, with 60% significantly altered.

Analysts from Gartner have suggested AI will create more jobs than it eliminates by 2027.