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AI could replace 3 million low-skilled jobs in UK by 2035: report
Up to 3 million low-skilled jobs in the UK could be lost to automation and AI by 2035, according to a report from the National Foundation for Educational Research.
The charity said jobs most at risk include those in trades, machine operation, and administrative work.
The report also predicts that highly skilled roles will see increased demand as technology shifts workloads, but the overall net gain in jobs — about 2.3 million by 2035 — will not be evenly spread.
These findings differ from recent research by King’s College, which found higher-paying firms saw job losses of 9.4% between 2021 and 2025, while other studies suggest technical occupations could also be affected.
UK government data lists management consultants, psychologists, and legal professionals as among the most exposed to AI, while roles like sports players, roofers, and bricklayers are seen as less vulnerable.
The report’s authors noted the impact of AI on jobs may be complicated by economic conditions and employer caution rather than solely by technology adoption.
🔗 Source: The Guardian
🧠 Food for thought
Implications, context, and why it matters.
UK AI adoption is too low to support 3 million job losses by 2035
- Forecasts of 3 million job losses assume rapid rollout. Only 9% of UK businesses used AI in 2023, and 15% of non-adopters planned to implement it in 2024 1.
- In financial services, 75% of firms use some AI. Fully autonomous decisions make up 2% of applications because companies keep human review 2.
- Manufacturing adoption sits at 5% compared with 9% in services 1.
- Cloud computing reached 69% adoption 1. 39% cannot find use cases, while 16% lack expertise 1. At current pace, a 2035 displacement of 3 million roles looks optimistic.
Edtech and training providers should target the £187 million TechFirst funding stream
- Government set aside £187m for TechFirst to expand digital and AI skills across classrooms nationwide, reaching communities too 3. A joint effort with industry plans to train 7.5m workers by 2030 on systems like chatbots and large language models 3.
- TechYouth will reach 1 million secondary students over three years through colleges, training providers, and nonprofits working regionally 3.
- Skills Bootcamps offer up to 16 weeks of flexible study with guaranteed interviews and possible financial support for learners aged 19+ 4.
- Edtech firms with sector-specific content for healthcare, finance, and manufacturing can seek roles as local delivery partners or Skills Bootcamp providers 3. One in three UK tech founders cites talent gaps as the biggest barrier, so vendors that build AI capability can win government contracts and corporate budgets 3.
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