London Mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a stark warning that artificial intelligence could become a "weapon of mass destruction of jobs" if the government and industry fail to act with urgency. The Labour mayor made the comments during the annual London government dinner at Mansion House on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
A Stark Choice for London's Future
Sir Sadiq argued that the capital stands at a critical juncture. He presented a clear choice: either proactively shape the AI revolution to protect jobs and boost productivity, or risk surrendering to a technology that deepens inequality and devastates the workforce. "The impact of AI on London's labour market will be nothing short of colossal," he stated, adding that this assessment was likely an underestimation.
Unlike historical industrial shifts, the mayor cautioned that the AI wave would hit white-collar professions hardest. This puts some of London's cornerstone sectors—including finance, professional services, and the creative industries—directly in the firing line. He warned that entry-level positions are particularly vulnerable and that, without intervention, old roles may vanish faster than new ones can be created.
New Taskforce and Free Training Announced
To counter these threats, Khan announced two major initiatives. First, he unveiled a new London Taskforce on AI. This body will be charged with providing concrete recommendations to embed AI skills at every level of the city's workforce and to equip the next generation with the necessary tools to thrive.
Secondly, and crucially for residents, the mayor announced that free AI skills courses will be made available to all Londoners. This move is designed to democratise access to the new technology, allowing people from all backgrounds to "take advantage of this new technology" rather than be displaced by it.
The Call for Responsible Regulation and Leadership
While championing AI's potential to transform public services and tackle complex challenges, Khan emphasised that this must be matched with robust oversight. He pointed to the lessons from the social media revolution, which he said had saddled the UK with a youth mental health crisis and a surge in online abuse.
"This time, we need to move faster and not make the same mistakes again," he asserted, calling for accelerated regulation and skills reform. The mayor positioned London as a future global leader in AI, insisting that the technology shaping our collective future should be developed in the capital "with our values hardwired into the code".
Khan framed the response as a "moral, social and economic duty to act," urging leaders to seize AI's potential as a superpower for positive transformation, rather than passively watching it dismantle the job market.
