Women working in the technology and financial services sectors are at greater risk of losing their jobs to artificial intelligence and automation than their male counterparts, according to a report by the City of London Corporation. The study also found that experienced female workers are being overlooked for digital roles due to rigid hiring processes.
The report highlighted that 'mid-career' women with at least five years' experience are being sidelined in industries where they are already underrepresented. It noted that automated CV screening often discriminates against female applicants, failing to account for career breaks taken to care for children or relatives, and focusing too narrowly on past professional experience.
To address this, the City of London Corporation is urging employers to reskill women in non-technical roles, particularly those in clerical positions most vulnerable to automation. An estimated 119,000 clerical jobs in tech, finance, and professional services—predominantly held by women—could be displaced over the next decade. Reskilling affected staff could save companies up to £757 million in redundancy payments.
Dame Susan Langley, the mayor of the City of London, emphasised the importance of investing in digital skills: 'By investing in people and supporting the development of digital skills within the workforce, employers can unlock enormous potential and build stronger, more resilient teams.' She added that focusing on talent and adaptability would help the UK remain a global hub for innovation.
Recent surveys indicate that up to a quarter of UK workers fear their jobs could disappear within five years due to AI. Union leaders have called for companies to commit to workforce training. Meanwhile, the City report noted that over 12,000 digital vacancies went unfilled in these sectors in 2024, and warned that the digital talent gap could persist until at least 2035, potentially costing the UK more than £10 billion in economic growth.
