A recent study conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has unveiled the job positions most vulnerable to displacement by artificial intelligence (AI) within the upcoming year. Findings from a survey of more than 2,000 employers indicate that 17% anticipate AI to decrease their workforce, highlighting concerns particularly for roles in clerical, junior managerial, professional, and administrative spheres.
Among the surveyed employers, 26% in large private sector companies foresee a reduction in their staff count, in contrast to 17% in the private sector and 20% in the public sector. Furthermore, a quarter of those expecting job cuts anticipate losing more than 10% of their workforce, while 22% of employers plan to implement redundancies in the final quarter of 2025. Nevertheless, 61% have intentions to recruit for new positions.
James Cockett, a senior labor market economist at CIPD, emphasized the transformative impact of AI on work practices, emphasizing the need for nationwide efforts to retrain and upskill individuals across various career stages. He stressed the importance of swiftly advancing initiatives like the Growth and Skills Levy in collaboration with employers to equip workers with the necessary competencies for an AI-driven economy.
Addressing the need for strategic workforce planning and skill development, Cockett urged both governmental bodies and employers to prioritize long-term investments in skills training to facilitate effective integration of AI in job roles. He cautioned that job seekers are already experiencing challenges in securing employment due to rising costs, with potential further obstacles arising from the Employment Rights Bill.
The study coincides with a rise in the UK’s unemployment rate to 5% in the three months leading up to September, marking an increase from 4.8% in the prior three-month period. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) noted that this rate is the highest since August 2016, excluding distortions from the pandemic. For further details, the full CIPD report is available for review.