UK telecom to reduce many jobs due to AI advancements

A major British telecom company, BT Group, is planning to cut a large number of jobs as artificial intelligence (AI) changes how the business operates. The company’s leader, Allison Kirkby, recently shared that AI could lead to even more job losses than the 55,000 already planned by 2030. This news has raised concerns about the future of work in the telecom industry.

BT is using AI to improve tasks like customer service, network checks, and daily operations, which used to need many workers. Kirkby explained that these changes could make the company smaller and more efficient by the end of the decade. In 2023, BT had nearly 99,000 employees, but that number might drop to around 50,000 as AI takes over more roles. The company is also focusing on upgrading its networks, like fiber and 5G, while trying to save money to stay competitive.

These job cuts are part of a bigger plan to simplify how BT works. However, this shift has sparked worries about job security for workers in the UK and beyond. Other telecom companies, like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile in the US, might follow a similar path as they adopt AI to streamline their businesses. While AI brings new possibilities, it also challenges workers who may need new skills to stay employed. The telecom world is changing fast, and employees are feeling the impact.