Half of adults across the United Kingdom fear artificial intelligence could take away or fundamentally alter their jobs, according to new polling, as trade union leaders urge the government to overhaul its approach to emerging technologies.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) survey of 2,600 adults found that 51 per cent are worried AI will lead to job losses or changes to their working conditions. Concerns are especially high among younger workers, with nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of those aged 25 to 34 expressing fears over the technology’s impact on their careers.
The release of the poll follows warnings from major employers such as BT, Amazon and Microsoft, which have all acknowledged in recent months that AI advancements could result in workforce cuts. The findings come against a backdrop of a weakening labour market, with Britain’s unemployment rate rising to 4.7 per cent – the highest level in four years. Economists, however, note that this rise is not yet directly linked to AI adoption.
The TUC maintains that artificial intelligence has the potential to benefit workers and transform public services, but stresses that safeguards must be put in place. It is calling on the government to involve workers and trade unions in decisions over how AI is introduced in workplaces, to prevent mass redundancies and ensure retraining opportunities are provided.
Half of respondents to the poll said they wanted a direct say in how AI is used within the economy and in workplaces, while just 17 per cent opposed worker involvement.
To protect jobs, the TUC is urging the government to attach strict conditions to the billions of pounds of public funding invested in AI research and development. Proposals include ensuring companies reinvest productivity gains into skills, training, and fair pay, as well as introducing a so-called “digital dividend” for workers. The union body also wants stronger rights for employees to influence corporate decision-making, including representation on company boards.
Without such protections, the TUC warns that AI could entrench inequality, degrade working conditions and fuel social unrest. It is also pressing for reforms to the UK’s skills and social security systems, to help workers at risk of displacement retrain for new roles.
Kate Bell, the TUC’s assistant general secretary, said AI has transformative potential if developed responsibly, but cautioned that in the wrong hands, the AI revolution could deepen inequality, strip away good jobs, and leave workers worse off while shareholders profit.
