We now know which jobs are at risk, with data entry clerks, telemarketers, and cashiers carrying automation risks above 90%, while creative and judgement-led professions such as designers, lawyers and teachers appear far less exposed.
But now, solutions are needed. The Trade Union Congress has published research showing that 50% of UK adults fear AI will take or change their job, and it is calling on the government to introduce new rules through a pro-worker AI strategy designed to protect employees as automation spreads.
TUC’s new research shows that Britain鈥檚 innovation system sidelines the very people most affected by it. While billions of pounds are flowing into science and technology, the union body says staff have almost no say in how these tools are introduced at work.
What Is The Government Promising?
UK Research and Innovation will manage 拢25 billion from 2022 to 2025, with government pledging 拢22.5 billion annually from 2028鈥�29. The TUC says this investment could backfire for staff if decisions stay only in the hands of investors and managers alone.
The research shows strong public backing for a different model. More than half of voters think workers and unions should take part in decisions on new technology. Among Labour supporters, support is even higher, covering those thinking of switching to Reform or the Greens.
The TUC wants Innovate UK and the Catapult Network to be legally required to consult unions when setting priorities. It argues that without binding rules, new systems will continue to be designed in ways that cut across pay, skills and working conditions.
To reinforce its case, the TUC points to the United States. Under the CHIPS and Science Act, unions were given a seat in the innovation system. The AFL-CIO has since set up a five-year programme with the National Science Foundation, linking staff and researchers in sectors such as transport and hospitality. The TUC says Britain should build a similar framework.
Are Public Services Under Pressure?
The TUC鈥檚 research singles out public services as especially vulnerable. Technology contracts already cost the state around 拢14 billion a year. The National Audit Office has warned that a small group of suppliers dominate these contracts, creating risks around cost and oversight.
Outsourcing has hollowed out in-house capacity. As a result, schools and agencies are tied into long contracts they cannot easily leave. The Legal Aid Agency鈥檚 move to an automated claims tool produced a 19% error rate, compared with 3% when handled by staff.
More from News
- World Quantum Day 2026: Experts Reflect On Industry Developments This Year
- 79% Of UK Workers Fear Losing Their Jobs This Year – And Its Not AI Related
- Scail Launches To Help Regulated SaaS Businesses Navigate The AI 鈥淧erfect Storm鈥�
- X Is Taking A Slightly Different Approach To Managing Click Bait Content – Will It Work?
- AI Is Meant To Reduce Workloads, Why Is It Still Causing Workers Cognitive Fatigue?
- Apple Wins Q1 As Smartphones Shipments Go Up And Competitor Sales Go Down
- Can Travellers Expect Lower Flight Prices After The Ceasefire?
- Gen Z Consumers Face The Highest Online Fraud Risks – How Are They Staying Protected?
The TUC proposes three fixes… First, procurement should draw directly on worker input before new systems are signed off. Second, collective purchasing should be introduced so that schools and hospitals can negotiate stronger terms. Third, public contracts should guarantee fair labour standards.
The union body also wants the government鈥檚 Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence to give workers a formal role in shaping technology decisions.
In response to the Trade Union Congress unveiling a ‘worker first’ AI strategy, calling on the government to put employees and unions at the heart of AI policy, Kevin Fitzgerald, UK Managing Director at Employment Hero said: 鈥淓ver since ChatGPT hit the headlines, generative AI has been at the centre of workplace conversations.
“Businesses are excited about the chance to cut costs and automate admin that eats up time, but it鈥檚 also left plenty of employees feeling unsure about what the future holds. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 so important to get everyone in the room – employers, employees, unions – to discuss how AI is rolled out. We welcome the TUC鈥檚 push for a worker-first approach.
鈥淒espite all the negative headlines about AI replacing jobs, the technology can actually help employees grow and pick up new skills. Our latest Work That Works report shows that employees who use AI regularly rate their own productivity 17% higher. But on the flip side, when AI is implemented poorly, productivity can drop by up to 50%. This shows that how businesses introduce the technology matters just as much as the technology itself.
鈥淭oo often, AI gets treated as a one-size-fits-all solution and that鈥檚 where problems start. People need to understand why AI is being introduced, how it will affect their work and what support is available. Done right, AI can complement humans rather than replace them.
鈥淭he best results come from a human-first approach. Introduce AI gradually, embed it into day-to-day workflows and pair it with ongoing training. This builds confidence, keeps employees engaged and gives them space to upskill and future-proof their careers. AI might be ready for business, but businesses need to make sure their people are ready too.鈥�
