Artificial intelligence could displace up to three million low-skilled jobs in the UK by 2035, according to new research that highlights the sectors most vulnerable to rapid automation. The findings, published by a leading educational research charity, suggest that trades, machine operations and administrative roles face the highest levels of disruption unless major retraining and transition programmes are put in place.
Low-skilled sectors face the sharpest transformation
The report identifies a significant exposure among roles characterised by repetitive tasks or routine manual activities. Jobs in warehousing, factory operations, basic construction support and transport logistics are among those flagged as most susceptible.
Administrative and clerical positions — long considered at risk due to digitisation — are expected to see a further decline as AI-driven systems become more capable of managing scheduling, document handling and customer interactions with minimal human oversight.
Automation advancing faster than labour market adaptation
The analysis warns that technological change is outpacing the rate at which the labour market can adapt. Advances in large-scale AI systems, robotics and process automation have accelerated significantly since 2022, making it increasingly feasible for employers to automate tasks previously considered too complex or costly.
Researchers emphasise that while overall job numbers may stabilise or even grow in some high-skilled areas, the transition risks leaving millions behind without coordinated reskilling initiatives.
Retraining and education seen as essential buffers
The report stresses that the UK will need ambitious training programmes to prepare workers for new roles in emerging sectors. These include AI oversight, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, green technologies and health services.
However, the study warns that existing national retraining schemes remain insufficient in scale and scope. It calls for a long-term national plan to avoid deepening inequality between high-skilled and low-skilled workers.
Opportunities remain, but require strategic planning
While the findings point to significant challenges, they also highlight potential benefits. Industries that embrace AI effectively could experience higher productivity, lower operational costs and new job creation in supervisory and technical roles.
The researchers argue that the outcome will ultimately depend on political choices, investment in skills development, and employers’ willingness to support workforce transitions.
A turning point for the UK workforce
With AI adoption set to accelerate through the 2030s, the report frames the next decade as a defining period for the country’s labour market. Without strategic intervention, the risk of large-scale displacement could reshape entire communities and widen existing economic divides.
The charity concludes that the UK must act now to balance technological progress with social responsibility, ensuring workers gain the tools to transition into the next generation of employment.
Newshub Editorial in Europe – 2025-11-25
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