The Potential Impact of AI on the Employment Market in the UK

The future is here, and it's called AI. Artificial intelligence is about to flip the employment market on its head, and if you’re not paying attention, you’re going to get left behind. This isn't just another tech trend—this is a full-on revolution. Let’s break it down.

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First off, the AI market in the UK is exploding. A massive 34% growth in 2024 alone. By 2030, this market is going to hit £801.6 billion. Yep, you read that right—billion. From healthcare to finance to manufacturing, AI is making waves everywhere. The smart money is already investing, so if you're not in the game, you’re missing out.

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Now, here’s the reality check. AI and automation could displace up to 8 million jobs in the UK. That’s right, millions. If you’re in a back-office role, entry-level position, or part-time job, you need to get ahead of this. In the first wave of AI adoption, 11% of tasks done by UK workers are at risk. That’s just the start. In the next wave, it could be as high as 59%. We're not just talking routine jobs here—this is coming for cognitive tasks too.

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Sectors like secretarial, customer service, and admin are in the danger zone. Even higher-earning jobs in law, accounting, and other knowledge-based work aren’t safe. But before you start panicking, remember this: AI is also a massive job creator. The World Economic Forum says AI could create around 97 million new jobs globally by 2025. That’s a huge opportunity if you’re ready to grab it.

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Here’s the kicker: the UK has a massive digital skills gap, costing the economy £63 billion a year. By 2030, 20% of the workforce will be under skilled. That’s about 6.5 million people. And guess what? 27% of UK workers say they don’t have the digital skills needed for their jobs. Another 58% say their employers aren’t helping them level up. This is a problem, but it's also an opportunity.

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Employers get it. Around 64% of UK CEOs know that AI means their teams need new skills, and they’re willing to pay a 14% wage premium for workers with AI skills. 

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Ascendo Founder Danny Quinn is hosting a one-day workshop for business owners, entrepreneurs, business leaders, C-suite execs, and professionals who want to harness the power of AI. No jargon, no fluff—just straight-up, actionable insights that you can take back to your business.

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AI is here, and it’s not going anywhere. It’s going to drive economic growth and productivity, but it also comes with challenges. We need to tackle the skills gap head-on. It’s all about investing in yourself and your team to stay ahead of the curve. By getting the right training and upskilling, you can turn AI from a threat into an opportunity.

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At Ascendo, we’re leading the charge. We’re committed to providing top-notch AI training and education to empower businesses and individuals. Don’t just sit on the sidelines—join us and be part of the revolution. The future is now, and it’s time to seize it.

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Join us for our FREE AI Essentials workshop at voco Grand Central on Friday 20th September from 12-4pm - find out more and secure your place here.