AI could become a “weapon of mass destruction of jobs” if urgent action is not taken, according to London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.

Speaking at the annual London government dinner at Mansion House this evening, Sir Sadiq will argue that London must actively shape the AI revolution to protect jobs, boost productivity and safeguard the capital’s economy.

He will call for faster regulation, skills reform and leadership to ensure AI benefits society rather than deepening inequality.

“Used responsibly, AI could enable us to transform our public services, turbocharge productivity and tackle some of our most complex challenges,” he is set to say as he announces a new AI taskforce and free AI training.

“But used recklessly, it could usher in a new era of mass unemployment.”

AI impact ‘will be colossal’

The Labour mayor will say there is a “moral, social and economic duty to act”, with a choice to make: “Seize the potential of AI and use it as a superpower for positive transformation and creation, or surrender to it and sit back and watch as it become a weapon of mass destruction of jobs.”

“The impact of AI on London’s labour market will be nothing short of colossal,” he will add.

“That is likely an underestimation.

“Without proactive action, old roles may disappear faster than new ones are created.”

The mayor will say entry-level jobs are likely to be the first to go and, unlike the Industrial Revolution, those in white collar jobs will feel it the most.

That will include some of London’s biggest sectors, such as finance, professional services and the creative industries.

He will put London forward as a global leader in AI, saying the tech shaping the future needs to be made in the capital “with our values hardwired into the code”.

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On the London Taskforce on AI, he will say it will provide recommendations for what is needed to “embed AI skills at every level in our workforce and equip the next generation with the tools they’ll need to thrive”.

Sir Sadiq will also announce free AI skills courses open to all Londoners so they can “take advantage of this new technology”.

But he will also warn there needs to be responsible regulation of AI, with lessons learned from the “social media revolution” that has 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 will say.