London Mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a stark warning that artificial intelligence (AI) could become a "weapon of mass destruction of jobs" if its breakneck development is not properly managed. The Mayor made the comments during a speech at Mansion House on Friday 16 January 2026.
Taskforce and Free Training to Combat AI Disruption
Sir Sadiq highlighted that London's workforce, particularly in pivotal sectors like finance and the creative industries, faces significant disruption from advancing AI technology. In response, he announced the formation of a new mayoral taskforce specifically commissioned to review the impact of AI on employment across the capital.
Central to his plan is a pledge to provide free AI training for all Londoners. This initiative is designed to equip residents with the skills needed to adapt to the changing demands of the future job market and mitigate potential widespread job losses.
Call for Safeguards and Deepfake Concerns
Khan urged political leaders to learn from past mistakes, specifically pointing to the negative consequences of unchecked social media development, such as the youth mental health crisis. He argued that proactive safeguards must be implemented for new technologies like AI from the outset.
The Mayor's intervention follows rising public and regulatory concern over the misuse of AI, including the creation of sexualised deepfake images. In a related development, the communications regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into the AI platform Grok regarding such deepfake nude imagery.
Government Response and Next Steps
Downing Street has responded to the Mayor's warnings by pointing to the government's existing AI skills training programmes. However, Khan's plan places a direct focus on the needs of London's unique economy and its millions of workers.
The newly announced taskforce will now begin its work analysing which roles are most at risk and shaping the specific curriculum for the free training scheme, marking a significant step in the city's preparation for an AI-driven future.
