AI isn't killing jobs yet: Over 50% of businesses say AI is creating roles as massive upskilling push begins

Date:
Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:05:00 +0000

Description:
A new UK survey finds over half of businesses say AI has created jobs, though workforce skills still lag.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Over half (54%) of UK
businesses say AI created new jobs, new study finds A similar amount (58%) plan to raise AI skills investment soon Some firms plan to spend up to
250,000 on Artificial Intelligence training Concerns that AI would eliminate jobs have dominated public conversation for years, fueling fears of mass unemployment and disruption.

A report from the Lloyds Business Barometer claims over half (54%) of UK businesses say AI has already created new jobs within their organizations.
The findings arrive as firms increasingly treat AI adoption as central to competitiveness, workforce skills, and long-term business growth strategy. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Companies ramp up AI skills spending The majority (58%) of businesses say they now plan to
increase investment in AI tools and skill training over the next twelve
months - and of the businesses planning to raise AI investment, 42% expect to spend between 25,000 and 100,000 during the coming year.

Another 26% expect to spend between 100,000 and 250,000, showing a clear appetite for deeper AI skills funding across sectors. You may like Seizing AI job opportunities in the United Kingdom Some businesses expect to hire more workers thanks to AI, not sack them 9 in 10 HR leaders believe AI will create new entry-level roles, and that middle managers are essential to this transformation

Despite this spending push, 31% of businesses admit their current workforce still lacks the AI skills the company actually needs.

To close that gap, 43% of firms are introducing formal AI skills training while 32% are expanding programs already in place. Are you a pro? Subscribe
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A smaller share, 24%, say they now prioritize AI skills when hiring, while
21% are creating entirely new AI-specific roles. A widening gap between large and small firms Overall, nearly two-thirds (61%) of UK firms say they currently use AI in some form, though adoption varies sharply by company size and reach.

Cost, cited by 18% of businesses, remains the most common barrier, followed closely by data quality and skills access at 17% each. What to read next Many businesses are deploying AI faster than theyre preparing employees The AI job apocalypse is a myth. We need more human talent than ever before Half of London's businesses say workforce are not equipped to meet organizational requirements in the age of AI

Domestic-only firms cite cost as their biggest barrier at 23%, while international firms point more often to data quality at 19%.

Larger businesses with annual turnover above 10 million report AI usage averaging 79%, far ahead of smaller and domestic-only competitors nationwide.

Nearly two-thirds of larger firms say their current workforce already possesses the AI skills the business truly needs right now.

Among larger firms already using AI, 74% cite productivity gains as their
main reason for continued and future investment decisions.

Nearly six in 10 businesses believe companies that fail to adopt AI risk falling behind their competitors within a few years, but this confidence in AI's competitive importance varies by size, with 73% of large firms agreeing compared with 54% of the smallest firms.

"AI has the potential to be as transformative for businesses as the internet was," said Amanda Murphy, CEO of Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking.

Murphy added that success depends far more on building internal skills, culture, and confidence than on simply purchasing new technology.

The figures suggest AI adoption across the UK economy is accelerating faster than the workforce skills needed to sustain it.

Whether businesses can close that widening skills gap quickly enough may determine which companies gain a lasting competitive advantage overall.
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/ai-isnt-killing-jobs-yet-over-50-of-uk-businesse s-say-ai-is-creating-roles-as-massive-upskilling-push-begins


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