By Julia Kollewe
Publication Date: 2026-01-15 11:49:00
Sadiq Khan will make a major speech warning that artificial intelligence (AI) could wipe out huge swathes of London’s jobs and “herald a new era of mass unemployment” if ministers don’t act now.
In his annual speech at the Mansion House, the London mayor will say the capital is “at the forefront of change” as it relies on employees in the financial and creative industries, as well as professional services such as law, accounting, consulting and marketing.
The mayor will argue that “we have a moral, social and economic duty to act” to ensure new jobs are created to replace those that will disappear, with entry-level and junior jobs being the first to go.
In Thursday night’s speech, Khan will highlight research that suggests that by 2030, 70% of the skills in the average workplace will have changed.
But he also sees huge potential benefits of AI for public services and productivity across the economy.
When he speaks to business leaders and bankers at the Mansion House…
