Artificial intelligence is frequently associated with job displacement, but new research suggests that its effect on employment may be more complex. More than half of UK businesses surveyed said AI had created new roles within their organisations.
According to the latest Lloyds Business Barometer, 54% of participating companies reported that AI adoption had resulted in job creation. The findings indicate that businesses are not simply using the technology to automate existing work—they are also recruiting specialists, introducing new responsibilities and investing in employee development.
The study was conducted by Ipsos for Lloyds Bank and surveyed 1,200 UK companies between July 1 and July 16, 2026. Each participating business had a minimum annual turnover of £250,000.
AI is moving from experimental projects into everyday business operations. The study found that 61% of surveyed UK companies were already using artificial intelligence in some form.
Adoption was particularly high among larger businesses. An average of 79% of companies with annual turnover exceeding £10 million reported using AI.
Internationally active businesses were also ahead of companies focused solely on the domestic market. Around 63% of international firms said they used AI, compared with 46% of domestic-only businesses.
The difference suggests that companies competing across international markets may feel greater pressure to adopt new technologies, improve productivity and respond more quickly to changing customer expectations.
New employment opportunities are emerging as organisations introduce AI into their operations.
The research found that 21% of businesses planned to create dedicated AI positions. These roles may include AI engineers, automation specialists, data professionals, AI product managers, governance experts and employees responsible for integrating AI tools into existing workflows.
However, technical positions are only one part of the employment opportunity. Businesses also need professionals who can connect AI with marketing, human resources, finance, operations, customer experience and strategic decision-making.
This means AI literacy is becoming valuable across a wide range of job functions—not only in software development or data science.
The report points to growing demand for employees who can work confidently and responsibly with AI.
Approximately 58% of businesses said they planned to increase investment in workforce AI skills during the following year. Among the companies raising their investment:
These figures demonstrate that employers increasingly see AI capability as an organisational requirement rather than an optional technical skill.
Although AI adoption is increasing, many organisations do not yet have all the expertise they need.
While 54% of businesses believed their workforce possessed the necessary AI skills, 31% said their employees did not. This gap could limit the benefits companies receive from AI investments.
Purchasing an AI tool does not automatically improve productivity. Employees must understand how to select appropriate tools, write effective instructions, assess output quality, protect sensitive information and integrate AI into practical business processes.
Organisations must also establish policies covering security, accuracy, accountability, ethics and responsible usage. Without these capabilities, businesses may struggle to move beyond isolated experiments.
AI can automate repetitive activities, but automation does not always eliminate an entire position. In many cases, it changes the combination of tasks performed within a role.
For example, AI may help employees prepare initial reports, analyse large datasets, answer routine enquiries or generate first drafts. Workers can then dedicate more time to decision-making, customer relationships, strategy, creativity and quality assurance.
New technology can also produce additional responsibilities, including:
The result may be a workforce in which humans increasingly supervise, guide and improve AI-supported processes.
Nearly six in 10 businesses said organisations that fail to adopt AI could be placed at a competitive disadvantage.
This view was particularly strong among larger companies. Approximately 73% of businesses with turnover above £10 million believed that failing to adopt AI could weaken competitiveness. The equivalent figure among businesses with turnover below £1 million was 54%.
Companies may see AI as a way to improve efficiency, accelerate product development, provide faster customer service and make better use of organisational data.
However, adoption alone does not guarantee success. Businesses must identify appropriate use cases and connect AI initiatives to measurable goals.
Companies continue to face practical challenges when implementing AI.
The main obstacles identified in the research were:
Smaller and domestically focused businesses were more likely to identify cost as a concern. International companies placed relatively greater emphasis on data quality.
These barriers are closely connected. Poor-quality data can produce unreliable AI results, while a shortage of experienced professionals can make it difficult to choose suitable tools or manage implementation risks.
Successful adoption therefore requires more than purchasing software. It depends on having reliable information, trained employees, responsible processes and clear business objectives.
The research offers an encouraging but important message for employees and job seekers: AI is creating opportunities, but the skills required in the workplace are changing.
Professionals do not necessarily need to become AI engineers. However, they can benefit from understanding:
Employees who combine industry knowledge with practical AI abilities may be well positioned as organisations redesign their workflows.
The study suggests that AI skills are becoming relevant across industries, departments and levels of seniority.
For learners, the opportunity lies in developing practical capabilities that can be applied to real business challenges. For employers, the priority should be structured upskilling that helps teams use AI effectively, securely and responsibly.
AI is unlikely to affect every occupation in the same way. Some activities will be automated, others will be augmented, and entirely new responsibilities will emerge. Continuous learning will therefore be essential for professionals navigating the changing employment market.
The Lloyds Business Barometer presents a more balanced picture of AI’s effect on work. Although concerns about automation remain valid, 54% of surveyed UK businesses said the technology had already contributed to job creation.
At the same time, nearly one-third of companies reported that their employees lacked the necessary AI skills. This combination of new opportunities and capability shortages reinforces the importance of professional training.
The future of work may not simply be about humans being replaced by machines. It is increasingly about people learning how to use AI to improve decisions, increase productivity and create new forms of value.