10 UK Roles Most Likely to Be Replaced by AI in 2026

As AI adoption accelerates across the UK, a growing divide is forming in the workforce. While some workers are benefiting from high-paying tech specialist roles, others are being left behind.

A recent AI in the UK Report highlights how AI has already transformed the UK labour market, and how it’s driving further change in 2026 and beyond, with nearly 70% of UK jobs have high exposure to AI. Clerical and administrative roles are among the most at risk of full automation.

Worringly, fewer than 50% of workers are offered any AI-related upskilling. And surprisingly, the UK now lags behind not just major economies like the US and Germany, but also emerging tech hubs like Poland in developing its AI workforce. 

Only 29% of women report having AI skills, compared to 71% of men — highlighting a significant skills gap. 

UK jobs have been analysed to find 10 occupations with the highest risk of full automation, most of which fall into clerical, administrative, and customer-facing roles.

1. Bookkeepers, payroll managers, and wage clerks

• Annual median wage: £25,889
• No. of jobs: 249,000
• AI automation risk: 94%

2. Telephone salespersons

• Annual median wage: £25,975
• No. of jobs: 6000
• AI automation risk: 94%

3. Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants

• Annual median wage: £26,226
• No. of jobs: 30,000
• AI automation risk: 87%

4. Bank and post office clerks

• Annual median wage: £25,987
• No. of jobs: 82,000
• AI automation risk: 87%

5. Brokers

• Annual median wage: £47,158
• No. of jobs: 17,000
• AI automation risk: 85%

6. Customer service representatives

• Annual median wage: £23,356
• No. of jobs: 365,000
• AI automation risk: 76%

7. Travel agents

• Annual median wage: £24,730
• No. of jobs: 20,000
• AI automation risk: 75%

8. Finance officers

• Annual median wage: £26,411
• No. of jobs: 24,000
• AI automation risk: 70%

9. Librarians

• Annual median wage: £29,931
• No. of jobs: 24,000
• AI automation risk: 68%

10. Authors, writers, translators

• AI automation risk: 55%
• Annual median wage: £31,979
• No. of jobs: 17,000

Charlotte Giver

Charlotte Giver

Charlotte is the founder and editor-in-chief at Your Coffee Break magazine. She studied English Literature at Fairfield University in Connecticut whilst taking evening classes in journalism at MediaBistro in NYC. She then pursued a BA degree in Public Relations at Bournemouth University in the UK. With a background working in the PR industry in Los Angeles, Barcelona and London, Charlotte then moved on to launching Your Coffee Break from the YCB HQ in London’s Covent Garden and has been running the online magazine for the past 10 years. She is a mother, an avid reader, runner and puts a bit too much effort into perfecting her morning brew.