Law firm Clifford Chance is cutting about 50 business services roles in London, representing a 10% reduction in its back-office staff, with increased use of artificial intelligence cited as a factor. The Financial Times first reported the cuts, which affect areas such as finance, HR and IT, with up to 35 other roles being changed.
The firm said the changes were driven by greater AI adoption, reduced demand for some services, and a shift of work to offices in Poland and India. A spokesperson stated: “In line with our strategy to strengthen our operations, we can confirm we are proposing changes to some of our London-based business professional functions.”
Separately, the global chairman of PwC, Mohamed Kande, indicated that AI may lead to fewer hires at the accountancy and consulting group. He told the BBC that the firm would no longer be hiring 100,000 people over five years, a target set in 2021, due to AI. “Now we have artificial intelligence. We want to hire, but I don’t know if it’s going to be the same level of people,” he said, adding that PwC is struggling to recruit AI specialists.
A survey by the British Standards Institution of 850 business leaders across seven countries found that 41% said AI was allowing them to cut employee numbers. White-collar jobs are seen as particularly vulnerable to advances in AI, which can automate tasks such as coding, research, and contract review.
