Half of UK Adults Express Concerns About AI Impact on Jobs and Workplace Conditions

A recent Trades Union Congress (TUC) poll found that 51% of UK adults are worried about the effects of artificial intelligence on their jobs, primarily fearing job losses or changes to their working conditions. Concerns are especially pronounced among adults aged 25 to 34, with nearly 62% expressing anxiety about AI. This survey comes amid announcements from major employers such as BT, Amazon, and Microsoft, indicating that AI advancements could lead to workforce reductions. Despite these fears, economists do not currently link AI investment with rising unemployment, although the UK’s jobless rate has reached a four-year high of 4.7%. The TUC emphasizes that AI can benefit workers if implemented thoughtfully, advocating for government involvement, worker representation, and mandatory training programs for employees affected by automation. Half of survey respondents want a say in how AI is used across workplaces, while only 17% oppose such involvement. The union also calls for conditions tied to public AI funding to ensure productivity gains benefit workers through improved pay, skills development, and workplace participation. Without these safeguards, the TUC warns, AI adoption could exacerbate inequality, worsen working conditions, and increase social unrest.