Tech Explained: Tech leaders urge Khan to drop AI ‘mass unemployment’ in Simple Terms

Technology leaders have urged London Mayor Sadiq Khan and policymakers not to frame artificial intelligence as a driver of “mass unemployment”, arguing that UK businesses now treat AI as a practical tool for augmenting workers and automating repetitive tasks rather than replacing human judgment.

Executives from software, consulting and HR technology firms say the debate around AI and jobs has moved inside many organisations from fear to implementation detail. They point to rising corporate investment in AI and widespread staff training as signs that businesses now see the technology as a mainstream productivity tool.

Comments from Aqilla, Valliance and Deel highlight a split between political warnings over job losses and what some technology providers describe as a more pragmatic, people-led approach inside finance teams and large enterprises.

Pragmatic shift

Hugh Scantlebury, Founder and CEO of accounting software provider Aqilla, said finance functions already use AI in routine processes and that the main questions now relate to design and governance.

“As we head into 2026, the conversation around AI will become far more grounded and pragmatic, and far less tied to job-loss anxiety or fear of the unknown. That shift will refocus discussions on sensible, responsible use; whether that’s processing high-volume data and speeding up reporting or reducing manual entry and freeing teams to focus on analysis.

Scantlebury noted that the key question won’t be whether or not accounting and finance teams employ AI since the majority already do, even if they aren’t aware of it. It will be about implementation. So their company support a responsible, transparent approach with clear oversight and guidelines. That way, as the year passes and finance teams rely increasingly heavily on AI outputs, they can be confident that they understand how they are produced. He stated that without clarity, they risk developing speedy but untrustworthy technologies, with all of the associated reputational and ethical concerns.

“In 2026, customers want more practical help: how to remove repetitive work so they can focus on analysis, interpretation and decision-making. AI’s value lies in freeing people to apply judgement, not replacing it. That’s why the future of the finance function isn’t machine-led accounting; it’s people-led automation, where human thinking directs automated processes to deliver speed, accuracy and clarity,” Scantlebury said.

“As developers of AI-enabled finance software, we have a responsibility to support users in this shift by ensuring our systems behave predictably, transparently and in ways that reinforce good financial practice. What we don’t want is for 2026 to become the year of over-automation – because customers aren’t asking for fully machine-led accounting. They want clarity, confidence, and tools that remove repetitive work while keeping judgment firmly in human hands. Remember the ‘A’ in AI – the ‘artificial’ in ‘artificial intelligence.’ It’s programming, subroutines, and logical analysis. It isn’t human – at least not yet, and hopefully not ever,” he added.

Business investment

In the consulting sector, technology advisers report strong demand for AI projects from large organisations, even as public debate focuses on job security.

Tarek Nseir, Co-Founder and Senior Value Partner at London-based AI consultancy Valliance, criticised predictions of mass unemployment and said such framing risks undermining business confidence.

He mentioned that it is scare tactics to portray AI as the potential cause of widespread unemployment because, at a time when UK firms are expected to adopt this new and high-potential technology, the Mayor’s remarks run the danger of weakening trust in it. He noted that numerous British companies are already demonstrating how AI can spur expansion, productivity, and the creation of completely new job categories, with up to 90% of businesses having raised their AI spending in the past year. He questioned why they recognise the prospects and competitive advantages, but not the mayor of London.

“The real challenge here isn’t mass unemployment, it’s the value lost when businesses invest in AI without the capabilities to deploy it properly. That’s the conversation we should be having, not fanning the flames with worst-case scenarios. If the UK wants to lead globally, we need to understand that half of all AI projects currently underdeliver. So, let’s focus on changing that through education and creating the right conditions, with an AI-native culture at the heart of that. That’s the only way that people and businesses can derive meaningful value from AI. The alternative is a nation shackled by fear – and that’s truly when job losses happen,” said Nseir.

Reskilling focus

Workforce and HR technology firms report a shift in how employers approach AI, with emphasis on retraining and redeploying existing staff.

Karen White, Head of Public Policy EMEA at global HR platform Deel, said survey data from UK organisations shows a focus on adaptation and AI training.

“While we can’t ignore the disruption facing the UK workforce, predicting ‘mass unemployment’ fundamentally misunderstands the trajectory of AI. It frames technology solely as a replacement for humans, rather than a tool to augment their potential,” said White.

She mentioned that this is a change in skills rather than a loss of employment. Their research showed businesses are already putting in adaptation over removal. More than half (53%) claim to have redeployed or upskilled employees, and the UK is actually actively spearheading the initiative. Widespread AI training is already being implemented by 72%.

“This is why we welcome the Mayor’s task force. We don’t need everyone to be a technologist, but we must make AI fluency a strategic priority. The focus must be on accelerating this adaptation,” said White.