Sadiq Khan has appointed Martha Lane-Fox to chair London’s newly formed AI and Jobs Taskforce, marking a proactive step by the city government to manage the impact of artificial intelligence on employment. The initiative underscores a growing recognition that AI is not a distant challenge but an immediate shift in how work is organised.
The taskforce has been given a clear mandate: to understand how AI is changing work across sectors, identify imminent risks, and recommend practical steps to strengthen skills, safeguard career pathways, and sustain economic growth. In doing so, the Mayor’s office is aiming to ensure that technological progress does not come at the cost of widespread job displacement or inequality. The announcement, made at the Bloomberg CityLab Summit, sets the tone for a more coordinated approach—one that seeks to balance innovation with workforce protection.
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A taskforce focused on real-world impact
Rather than treating AI as a long-term disruption, the AI and Jobs Taskforce is expected to deliver immediate, actionable guidance to City Hall. Its recommendations will focus on how London can adopt AI in a way that supports workers while maintaining competitiveness.
A cross-sector panel
The taskforce brings together voices from policy, academia, labour groups, and industry. It will be co-led by Deputy Chair Anna Thomas.
Other members include:
- John Amaechi
- Angie Ma
- Caroline Al-Beyerty
- Gaia Marcus
- Adam Cantwell-Corn
- Sara Gorton
The group’s composition reflects an effort to align economic priorities with worker protection and responsible AI deployment.
A workforce under pressure
The urgency behind the initiative is clear. A City Hall assessment indicates that more than two million jobs in London could be transformed, or at risk of displacement, due to AI in the coming years. White-collar roles, particularly in financial services, are expected to face the earliest and most visible impact, highlighting the need for timely intervention.
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Training as a parallel priority
Alongside the taskforce, the Mayor’s office plans to roll out online AI training programmes later in 2026. The objective is to help Londoners adapt to changing job requirements and access higher-paying opportunities in an AI-driven economy.
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What comes next
The AI and Jobs Taskforce will guide what a “fairer, safer” adoption of AI should look like in practice. Its impact will ultimately depend on how effectively its recommendations translate into tangible support for workers. As AI continues to redefine the nature of work, London’s approach may serve as a reference point for other global cities navigating the same transition.
