The Rest Is Politics Will AI Take Our Jobs? (Ep 2)
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Dec 19, 2025 
Matt Clifford, a former government advisor on AI and author of the AI Action Plan, joins Rory Stewart to dive into the implications of artificial intelligence. They discuss which jobs are at risk, particularly in junior legal and consultancy sectors. Matt draws parallels between AI disruption and the Industrial Revolution, warning of potential living-standard delays. The conversation shifts to the UK's need to embrace AI for competitive advantage, challenges in worker retraining, and the bittersweet nature of productivity gains.
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Junior Roles Face Immediate Automation Risk
- Junior legal and consultancy tasks will be automated first, undermining traditional training routes.
- That risks starving senior roles of future talent and experience if firms stop hiring juniors.
Engels Pause Shows Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain
- Historical
Distribution, Not Technology, Determinies Winners
- AI's aggregate gains can be huge but distribution depends on political choices and institutions.
- Capturing benefits requires active policy and national adoption rather than opting out.