Sir Sadiq Khan is poised to assert that artificial intelligence (AI) could emerge as “a mass job destruction weapon” if not managed effectively.
In his forthcoming address at Mansion House, the mayor plans to express his apprehensions regarding AI’s effects on London’s workforce.
He is expected to advocate for immediate steps to “harness the potential of AI and leverage it as a catalyst for positive change and creation” while also guarding against “a fresh wave of widespread unemployment.”
London stands “at the forefront of transformation,” facing a significant impact on employment across vital sectors such as finance, professional services, and the creative industries, he will remark.
The mayor’s address will highlight how AI holds the promise to enhance public services and address intricate issues like cancer treatment and climate challenges. However, he will caution that, if mismanaged, it could “lead to an era of mass job losses, heightened inequality, and an unparalleled accumulation of wealth and authority.”
“We must not meander aimlessly into an unwelcome future.”
“We need to stay alert and make a decisive choice: embrace the potential of AI, using it as a transformative superpower for good, or yield to it and passively witness it becoming a significant threat to jobs.”
Surveys conducted by City Hall last November revealed that 56% of London’s workforce anticipates that AI will impact their roles within the next year.
Sir Sadiq believes that without proactive measures, positions may vanish more swiftly than new opportunities arise, particularly entry-level jobs, which could deprive young individuals of essential career beginnings.
He plans to unveil a task force comprised of experts from government, education, and the AI sector to investigate the situation and determine how best to assist Londoners moving forward.
The task force’s findings are expected by summer, and Sir Sadiq will also initiate complimentary AI training programs for all London residents.
The mayor asserts that “we bear a moral, social, and economic obligation to act swiftly,” given that research indicates 70% of the skills needed for the average job will transform by 2030.
A spokesperson from No. 10 reported that they are preparing to train 7.5 million workers—about a fifth of the UK’s workforce—equipping them with essential AI skills in the years to come.
“In April, we will introduce new short courses for businesses in areas such as AI and digital skills to provide individuals with necessary tools for future employment,” they noted.
This address coincides with rising concerns regarding the exploitation of AI technology, particularly in creating sexualized deepfake images of women and children, with Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot at the center of controversy.
On Wednesday, X announced measures to prevent Grok from “editing images of individuals in revealing attire” and to block users from generating similar images of real persons in jurisdictions where such actions are illegal.
