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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 March 2026. It was answered by Kanishka Narayan (Labour) on Monday, 30 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Artificial Intelligence: Employment

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of artificial intelligence on employment in the next five years.

Answer

The Government recognises that AI is transforming workplaces, demanding new skills and augmenting existing roles. We have launched the AI and the Future of Work Unit - a cross‑government function dedicated to ensuring AI delivers positive outcomes for the economy, jobs, and workers. We are preparing for a range of possible futures to ensure this transformation boosts productivity and opportunities and the Government launched an assessment of AI impacts on the labour markets in January 2026.

To build a digitally skilled workforce to support long-term economic growth, drive innovation and expand individual opportunity we are supporting AI Skills Boost to upskill 10 million workers in AI skills by 2030. We have already delivered more than 1 million AI training courses have been delivered to workers across the UK.

Building on the Future of Work Unit, the Chancellor announced a new AI Economics Institute in her recent Mais Lecture. This joint HMT-DSIT institute will incorporate the FoW Unit, as part of a broader focus on the economics of AI, including labour market, productivity and other impacts.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
119869
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Employment Artificial intelligence
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk