A recent study conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has identified the job roles most susceptible to automation by artificial intelligence (AI) in the upcoming year. According to the survey involving more than 2,000 employers, around 17% anticipate a reduction in their workforce due to AI, with a majority (62%) pointing to potential losses in clerical, junior managerial, professional, or administrative positions.

The research further indicates that 26% of employers in large private sector organizations foresee a decline in their workforce, in contrast to 17% in the private sector and 20% in the public sector. Among those expecting job cuts, a significant portion (26%) anticipate losing over 10% of their workforce. While 22% of employers plan to make staff redundant within the next three months leading up to December 2025, 61% have intentions to recruit for new positions.

James Cockett, a senior labor market economist at the CIPD, emphasized the transformative impact of AI on work dynamics, stressing the importance of national efforts to retrain and upskill individuals across various career stages. Cockett highlighted the necessity for rapid progress in developing skills tailored for an AI-driven economy, urging collaboration between employers and policymakers to facilitate workforce adaptation and skill enhancement.

Amidst these trends, the UK’s unemployment rate rose to 5% in the three months up to September, marking the highest level since August 2016, excluding the distortions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This evolving landscape underscores the urgency for strategic workforce planning and investment in skills to navigate the evolving demands of an AI-centric job market.