A report from the Mayor of London's office reveals that 46% of London's workforce, approximately 2.4 million people, are in occupations where generative AI could transform some of their tasks, defining exposure as roles where AI is likely to change the nature of work rather than entirely replace jobs. That proportion is higher than the UK national average of 38%.
The report highlights significant disparities across gender and age groups. Women constitute nearly 60% of workers in the highest-exposure roles, with around 8% of working women in London falling into the most exposed category, double the 4% rate among men. Younger workers are also disproportionately affected: roughly 52% of 16-to-29-year-olds hold jobs highly exposed to AI, compared with 39% of those aged 50 and older.
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 also reveals ethnic differences in exposure levels. According to the report, Asian workers have the highest exposure to generative AI among all ethnic groups, while Black workers have the lowest, at approximately 34%.
The most vulnerable occupations are in administrative and secretarial fields, where 61% of workers are classified as highest-risk. An additional 748,000 workers, representing 14% of London's workforce, are in roles with significant but uneven exposure, including software developers, accountants, and financial analysts.
Mayor Sadiq Khan noted that AI is often expected to change job tasks rather than eliminate positions, shifting the skills and judgment required. He also stressed the need for vigilance and quick responses where jobs are genuinely threatened. The report's authors cautioned that declining opportunities in entry-level roles could weaken career progression pathways and eventually reduce the supply of workers into less exposed mid- and senior-level positions. The authors highlighted that such a trend could particularly undermine career ladders in sectors like finance and technology, where routine analytical work is often the starting point for professional growth. However, it remains unclear what specific policies the mayor will implement to address these challenges, and the actual pace of AI adoption and its impact on job displacement are still uncertain. The report does not detail how the differential impact on women, younger workers, and ethnic minorities will be mitigated, leaving open questions about potential inequalities.