A comprehensive analysis published by the Mayor of London's office reveals that approximately 2.4 million workers in the UK capital—46% of the city's workforce—are employed in roles where generative artificial intelligence could significantly alter their tasks. This figure substantially exceeds the national average of 38%, positioning London as the region most exposed to AI-driven change in the United Kingdom.
Unequal Burdens Across Demographics
The report, which categorises occupations by their susceptibility to AI, underscores that the impact is far from uniform. Women are disproportionately affected: they constitute nearly 60% of workers in the highest-exposure roles, largely due to their overrepresentation in administrative and customer service positions where AI capabilities are most advanced. Around 8% of women working in London fall into the most exposed category, compared with just 4% of men.
Younger workers also face heightened risk. Some 52% of Londoners aged 16–29 are in highly AI-exposed jobs, versus 39% of those aged 50 and over. The report expresses particular concern about entry-level positions that traditionally serve as stepping stones into professional careers. "If opportunities in these entry roles decline as a result of AI automation, progression pathways could weaken and, over time, reduce the supply of workers into less exposed mid- and senior-level professional roles," the document warns.
Ethnicity adds another layer of disparity. Workers of Asian ethnicity show the highest exposure levels, while Black workers have the lowest, at around 34%.
Which Jobs Are Most Vulnerable?
The analysis groups London's workforce into four exposure tiers. At the highest level are approximately 313,000 workers—6% of the capital's total—whose roles consist almost entirely of tasks that AI can already perform. These include bookkeepers, payroll managers, data entry clerks, and receptionists. Notably, 61% of all administrative and secretarial occupations fall into this highest-risk category.
A further 748,000 workers (14% of London's workforce) occupy roles with significant but uneven exposure, such as software developers, accountants, and financial analysts. At the opposite end, the lowest-exposure jobs are concentrated in care roles, construction trades, and positions requiring physical presence.
London mayor Sadiq Khan commented: "In many cases, AI is more likely to transform roles than replace them outright, shifting the mix of tasks, skills and judgement required at work. In other cases, where AI poses a genuine threat to jobs, we need to be alert and ready to respond quickly to any adverse impacts on London’s labour market."
Rising Business Adoption and Early Warning Signs
The report also tracks a sharp increase in AI adoption among UK firms. The share of businesses reporting AI use climbed from roughly 7–9% in late 2023 to between 26–35% by March 2026. So far, the primary effect has been task transformation rather than outright job replacement. In March 2026, firms reported that administrative, creative, data, and IT roles had been most affected. About 28% of businesses using AI say they are focusing on retraining staff rather than cutting jobs.
However, warning signs are emerging. Around 5% of AI-using businesses have already reduced overall headcount as a direct result, rising to 7% among larger firms. Looking ahead, 11% of AI-using businesses say replacing roles is part of their strategy, and 17% expect AI to reduce their workforce during 2026.
In response to these trends, Khan launched the London AI and Jobs Taskforce earlier this year. The group brings together workers, employers, researchers, and civic leaders to examine how AI is reshaping employment across the capital and to identify what support workers may need to adapt. For context on how technology is reshaping other domains, see our coverage of how technology and tactics finally broke the two-hour marathon in London.
The broader European context is also relevant: a recent ILO report found that work-related stress kills 840,000 annually, with Europe hit hard, highlighting the continent's ongoing labour market challenges. Meanwhile, the rise of AI-generated content has raised concerns about misinformation, as seen in how a fake BBC report falsely linked Zelenskyy to a stolen Cézanne.
