IPPR Warns: 8 Million UK Careers Threatened by AI-Driven ‘Job Apocalypse’
Ryan Daws is a senior editor at TechForge Media, with a seasoned experience spanning over a decade in tech journalism. He specializes in identifying the latest technological trends, dissecting complex issues, and crafting compelling narratives around the most groundbreaking developments. His articles and interviews with leading industry figures have earned him recognition as a key influencer by entities such as Onalytica. The publications under his supervision have received recognition from esteemed analyst firms like Forrester for their performance. You can find him on X (@gadget_ry) or Mastodon (@gadgetry@techhub.social).
A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) illuminates the prospective impact of AI on the UK job market. The research forecasts an impending ‘job apocalypse’, threatening over eight million careers across the country, without urgent government intervention.
The report delineates two critical stages of progressive AI adoption. The first phase, which has already begun, affects 11 percent of tasks performed by UK workers. Routine cognitive tasks like database management and organizational tasks like scheduling are at the highest risk.
In a potential second wave, AI could manipulate as much as 59 percent of tasks—impacting high-paying jobs and non-routine cognitive work such as creating databases.
According to Bhargav Srinivasa Desikan, a Senior Research Fellow at IPPR, occupations such as copywriters, graphic designers and personal assistants could largely be impacted by the advancement of AI. He emphasized the importance of maneuvering technological advancement in a way that paves the way for unique job opportunities, increased productivity and economic advantages for everyone.
He stated that we are at a crucial point where policymakers must expediently formulate a strategy to see that our labor market is adaptive to the 21st century while ensuring that no one is left behind. The successful integration of these technological advancements should be beneficial to all workers, and not just to the major tech companies.
In forecasting the impact of the second wave, IPPR has modeled three scenarios:
IPPR is also cautioning that maximum displacement is plausible without government interference, promoting a “job-centric” AI strategy. This includes fiscal incentives and regulatory measures guaranteeing human supervision, together with backing for green jobs which are less susceptible to automation.
The analysis underscores the disproportionate impact on certain demographics, with women and young people bearing the brunt of job displacement. Entry-level positions, predominantly occupied by these groups, face the gravest jeopardy as AI encroaches on roles such as secretarial and customer service positions.
Carsten Jung, Senior Economist at IPPR, said: “History shows that technological transition can be a boon if well managed, or can end in disruption if left to unfold without controls. Indeed, some occupations could be hard hit by generative AI, starting with back office jobs.
“But technology isn’t destiny and a jobs apocalypse is not inevitable – government, employers, and unions have the opportunity to make crucial design decisions now that ensure we manage this new technology well. If they don’t act soon, it may be too late.”
A full copy of the report can be found here (PDF)
Photo by Cullan Smith
See also: Stanhope raises £2.3m for AI that teaches machines to ‘make human-like decisions’
Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including BlockX,Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.
Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.
Tags: ai, artificial intelligence, careers, ethics, europe, government, jobs, law, legal, Legislation, report, research, Society, uk
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Discover the pinnacle of WordPress auto blogging technology with AutomationTools.AI. Harnessing the power of cutting-edge AI algorithms, AutomationTools.AI emerges as the foremost solution for effortlessly curating content from RSS feeds directly to your WordPress platform. Say goodbye to manual content curation and hello to seamless automation, as this innovative tool streamlines the process, saving you time and effort. Stay ahead of the curve in content management and elevate your WordPress website with AutomationTools.AI—the ultimate choice for efficient, dynamic, and hassle-free auto blogging. Learn More
