Nearly half of London’s workforce is in roles where generative artificial intelligence could transform some of their tasks – and the capital and especially women are more exposed than any other region in the United Kingdom, according to a new report from the Mayor of London’s office.
Around 2.4 million people in London work in occupations classified by the report as “GenAI-exposed occupations”, representing 46% of the city’s workforce – compared to a national average of 38%.
“In many cases, AI is more likely to transform roles than replace them outright, shifting the mix of tasks, skills and judgement required at work,” London mayor Sadiq Khan said.
“In other cases, where AI poses a genuine threat to jobs, we need to be alert and ready to respond quickly to any adverse impacts on London’s labour market,” he added.
Unequal risks across the workforce
But the impact of AI on jobs is not evenly spread across the workforce. The report identifies several groups facing disproportionate exposure.
Women make up nearly 60% of workers in the highest-exposure roles, driven by their overrepresentation in administrative and customer service occupations where AI capabilities are most advanced. Around 8% of women working in London are in the most exposed category, compared to 4% of men.
Younger workers are also more exposed. Around 52% of 16-29-year-olds are in highly AI-exposed jobs, compared with 39% of those aged 50 and over.
The report highlights concern about entry-level jobs, which act as “stepping stones” into professional careers.
“If opportunities in these entry roles decline as a result of AI automation, progression pathways could weaken and, over time, reduce the supply of workers into less exposed mid- and senior-level professional roles,” the report states.
Exposure also varies by ethnicity. Workers of Asian ethnicity tend to have higher exposure than any other ethnic group, while Black workers have the lowest exposure at around 34%.
Which jobs are most likely to be affected by AI?
The report groups jobs into four different levels of exposure, depending on how much of their work can already be done by AI tools.
At the highest level of risks are around 313,000 workers – around 6%of London’s total workforce – whose roles are almost entirely made up of tasks that AI could do for them today. These include administrative and clerical jobs, such as bookkeepers, payroll managers, data entry clerks and receptionists.
According to the report, 61% of all workers in administrative and secretarial occupations fall into this highest-risk category.
A further 748,000 workers – 14% of London’s workforce – are in roles with significant but more uneven exposure, including software developers, accountants and financial analysts.
London’s lowest-exposure workers tend to be in care roles, construction trades, and jobs requiring physical presence.
How businesses are using AI
The report also finds that business adoption of AI has risen sharply. The share of UK firms reporting AI use climbed from around 7–9% in late 2023 to between 26–35% by March 2026.
So far, AI’s biggest impact has been changing tasks within jobs rather than replacing workers. In March 2026, UK firms reported that administrative, creative, data and IT roles had been most affected. Around 28% of businesses using AI say they are focusing on retraining staff rather than cutting jobs.
But warning signs of an uncertain future are emerging. Around 5% of UK businesses using AI say they have already reduced overall headcount as a direct result, rising to 7% among larger firms.
And looking ahead, 11% of AI-using businesses say replacing roles is part of their strategy, and 17% expect AI to reduce their workforce during 2026.
In response to growing concerns around AI in the workforce, Sadiq Khan launched the ‘London AI and Jobs Taskforce’ earlier this year – a group bringing together workers, employers, researchers and civic leaders, to examine how AI is already reshaping employment across the capital and identify what support workers may need to adapt.