Research and analysis

The potential impact of AI on UK employment and the demand for skills

This research provides estimates of the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies on the UK labour market.

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The potential impact of AI on UK employment and the demand for skills

Details

The technical capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies such as robots, drones and autonomous vehicles have progressed substantially in the last decade. New applications of AI are transforming whole sectors of the economy via increased productivity and innovation. These technologies have the potential to boost the economy significantly, perhaps by as much as 10% of GDP in the UK by 2030.

There are also concerns that these technologies could displace large numbers of human workers from their jobs over the coming decade.

This research is targeted on 2 main questions:

  • whether AI and related technologies will follow this historical pattern of triggering significant structural labour market change
  • how large the disruption to labour markets from AI will be, and what form it will take
Published 8 October 2021