AI and Jobs in the EU

January 28, 2026

We keep hearing that AI is coming for our jobs, but the technology is still infantile. However as the technology advances the fear increases about humans becoming obsolete. The Next Web has the lowdown about AI and how it is affecting jobs across the pond: “What AI Is Actually Doing To Jobs In Europe.” London’s mayor made a fear mongering speech that AI will cause “mass unemployment.” He countered that statement by offering free AI training and a task force to help workers adapt.

Europe isn’t facing mass unemployment. AI has been implemented in many industries and it’s been discovered that:

“In some sectors where AI tools are already in use, work has been reshaped rather than eliminated. A European study found that 30% of EU workers now use AI at work, especially for text tasks like writing and translation, and that digital tools have become nearly universal (90%) across workplaces. Many workers report that AI helps them perform tasks more efficiently or take on different responsibilities.”

While that sounds reassuring, this statistic makes me want to sound the alarm:

“At the same time, employers are actively reassessing job roles because of AI, with about 71% of European firms reconsidering job responsibilities due to AI implementation and over a quarter reducing hiring or cutting roles as a direct result of AI deployment.”

Businesses are slowing their hiring processes, because they don’t know how they will be affected by AI and potential economic slowdowns. Many industries such as finance, legal services, and customer support are susceptible to AI displacement, while many industries are adapting. It’s also expected that while some jobs become obsolete, new jobs will be created.

Hallucinations and incorrect outputs aside, smart software is now alter society in interesting ways. If smart software can disrupt the methods of the Old Country, what will happen in Nebraska?

Whitney Grace, January 28, 2026

Written by Stephen E. Arnold · Filed Under Financial, Management, News

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Stephen E. Arnold monitors search, content processing, text mining and related topics from his high-tech nerve center in rural Kentucky. He tries to winnow the goose feathers from the giblets. He works with colleagues worldwide to make this Web log useful to those who want to go "beyond search". Contact him at sa [at] arnoldit.com. His Web site with additional information about search is arnoldit.com.