UK workers fear AI-driven job losses, union says

A survey of 5,000 members of the GMB union in the United Kingdom found that almost half of workers worry that artificial intelligence could take their jobs. Around 28% said their employers have already introduced AI tools, and 26% reported that AI now performs tasks they used to do themselves. Respondents also said many firms use AI to monitor employee activity, raising privacy concerns.

The union highlighted specific risks at major companies. It said 450 jobs at Nestlé, the maker of KitKat, are slated for cuts linked to AI use in HR, and Amazon recently showcased a new Proteus warehouse robot capable of operating in previously inaccessible areas. About 300,000 UK taxi drivers face uncertainty as Waymo tests autonomous taxis on London streets, with the company seeking approval from Transport for London.

GMB calls on the British government to introduce legislation that protects jobs, ensures retraining and redeployment for displaced workers, and regulates AI surveillance in the workplace. Robert Batelle, a Nestlé employee, told the union conference, “It’s heartbreaking to see colleagues – friends I’ve worked with for years – lose their jobs and be replaced by robots.”