London Mayor Khan Warns of AI Job Losses, Launches Taskforce

London Mayor Sadiq Khan warned on Thursday that artificial intelligence could trigger mass unemployment across the city if not properly regulated and managed, particularly in sectors reliant on white-collar work. Speaking at the annual London government dinner at Mansion House, Khan announced the creation of a taskforce to assess AI's impact on jobs and plans to provide free AI skills training to all London residents.

Khan highlighted London's vulnerability due to its economy, which depends heavily on finance, professional services, creative industries, and other knowledge-based fields. These areas, he said, face significant disruption from AI advancements, with entry-level and junior positions likely to be affected first. "We have a moral, social, and economic duty to act," Khan stated, emphasizing the need for swift intervention to prevent old jobs from vanishing faster than new ones emerge.

The mayor described AI as a potential "weapon of mass destruction of jobs" if deployed recklessly, but he also acknowledged its benefits when handled responsibly. Used appropriately, he noted, the technology could transform public services, increase productivity, and address challenges...