London mayor warns AI could spark 'mass unemployment' era

London Mayor Sadiq Khan warns the city faces "an era of mass unemployment" due to Artificial Intelligence, in a speech late Thursday. He points to London's concentration of finance, professional services, and creative jobs as making it "at the sharpest edge of change." Khan will announce a review into AI's impact on the capital's jobs market and launch free AI training for millions of Londoners. While highlighting the risks, he also notes "huge potential benefits" if used responsibly, urging swift action to harness these before AI "becomes a weapon of mass destruction of jobs." The debate over AI's impact on jobs continues globally. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office stated AI "is going to reshape the world of work," acknowledging some jobs will be more impacted than others but that new roles will emerge. The UN has warned AI and automation could worsen labour market challenges, especially for educated young people in wealthier countries. Forecasts vary: McKinsey predicts 30% of US jobs could be automated by 2030, while Gartner analysts suggest AI may create more jobs than it eliminates by 2027. For Nigerian professionals in tech and services, this global shift highlights the urgent need for digital skills to stay competitive in an AI-driven market.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/01/15/london-risks-mass-unemployment-over-ai-boom-mayor-warns/