Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of artificial intelligence on employment in occupations with high exposure to generative artificial intelligence.

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.

The Unit published an initial assessment of AI impacts on the labour markets in January 2026. This highlighted IMF estimates that around 70% of UK workers are in occupations containing tasks that AI could potentially perform or enhance – a higher share than the US and other advanced economies (around 60%), reflecting the UK's service-sector-intensive economy. Around half of these exposed workers are in 'high complementarity' roles, where AI may be more likely to boost efficiency and productivity, while the other half are in 'low complementarity' roles where AI may be more likely to perform tasks currently delivered by human labour.

To date, however, there is little conclusive evidence demonstrating a causal link between AI impacts and a reduction in employment levels. Several analyses find that job postings have declined more sharply in occupations with higher AI exposure, but establishing whether AI is causing these patterns remains challenging.

To further increase government's capability to assess these impacts and inform relevant policy, we are establishing a new AI Economics Institute, incorporating the Future of Work Unit, but with a broader focus on the economics of AI. A key consideration will be whether AI gains are broadly shared across regions, income groups, sectors and generations and that the opportunities are accessible, regardless of background, gender or geography.