One in three scale-up founders expect to shed jobs and replace them with artificial intelligence (AI) this year, new research reveals.
More than half also said they are also delaying or reducing new hires as a result of increased AI adoption, according to the survey by Helm, an entrepreneur network with members that have an average of £21 million in revenue.
In other findings, 93% of the 400 business owners surveyed said the UK workforce is not adequately prepared for widespread AI adoption.
Andreas Adamides, CEO of Helm, said:
“AI is forcing business leaders to make some difficult decisions about jobs and hiring. Many founders are under pressure to move fast, stay competitive, and rethink roles as automation accelerates.
“The bigger opportunity now is to upskill workers for higher-value roles and use AI to drive sustainable growth. If businesses and policymakers invest in skills early, AI can become a powerful engine for productivity rather than job insecurity.”
