A recent study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has identified the professions most vulnerable to automation by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the upcoming year. According to the survey of over 2,000 employers, approximately one in six (17%) anticipate a reduction in their workforce due to AI, with the majority (62%) foreseeing job losses in clerical, junior managerial, professional, or administrative positions.
The research indicates that 26% of employers in large private sector organizations expect a decrease in their workforce, while the figures stand at 17% in the private sector and 20% in the public sector. Among those anticipating job cuts, a quarter (26%) foresee a reduction of more than 10% in their workforce. Moreover, 22% of employers plan to make redundancies in the final quarter of 2025, although 61% have intentions to hire for new positions.
James Cockett, a senior labor market economist at CIPD, emphasized the transformative impact of AI on work dynamics, acknowledging its potential to enhance productivity while underscoring the risk of marginalizing a significant portion of the workforce. He stressed the need for national initiatives to retrain and upskill individuals of all career stages to adapt to an AI-driven economy.
In light of the rise in unemployment to 5% in the UK in the three months leading to September, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) noted this as the highest level since August 2016, excluding distortions caused by the pandemic. This trend underscores the urgency for strategic workforce planning and investment in skills development to ensure a smooth transition amid increasing AI integration into various industries.
For further insights, the complete CIPD report can be accessed through the official CIPD website.