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How AI and Automation Are Transforming IT Jobs in the UK | Future of Tech Careers
16/05/2025
How AI and Automation Are Transforming IT Jobs in the UK
The IT industry in the UK is undergoing a major overhaul from the rise of both artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. These new technologies do not simply alter how enterprises operate; they change the nature of IT jobs. The impacts of AI can be found everywhere—across different functions, across support functions, to the most specialized roles and functions of its kind.
This shift has both opportunities and challenges for IT professionals and hiring managers. Here is a look at how AI and automation are affecting the job market, as well as how to manage through this change.
AI and Automation are On the Rise in IT
The shift to using AI and automation technologies has enabled automating complex tasks, improving productivity, and allowing quicker decision making. Repetitive IT tasks are now more efficiently being performed through self-monitoring networks, or even security uses driven by machine learning.
Some main areas where AI is having an influence include:
System Administration: Scripts and tools are can be automating the system checks and using AI can considerably reduce manual work.
Customer Support: Clients are increasingly accepting autonomous agents as Virtual assistants and AI chatbots perform first line support leaving the human agents time to deal with the more complex cases of customer service.
Data Analysis: AI systems can now sift through enormous amounts of data, sometimes simply because it can, and uncover information that might take a data analyst days or weeks to accomplish.
This is redefining roles that are very much repetitive work, or creating areas where they may not exist before for example...
Changing Job Roles and New Opportunities
As some jobs go away, they also create jobs that involve both technical skills and innovative problem-solving; to mention a few,
- AI and Machine Learning Engineers
- Data Analysts and Scientists
- Cloud Automation Specialist/specialist team
- Cybersecurity Analyst with AI experience
- AI Integration Consultants
Those who take on these new roles will most likely have great new opportunities for career advancement.
Read this article on Career Growth in Tech to find out how professionals are now going from general IT support, to greater specialized and future-ready roles.
How IT Professionals Should Adapt
If IT professionals want to remain relevant, they will need to:
- Reskill and Upskill: Learn new programming languages, AI frameworks, and automation tools.
- Certifications: Seek certifications in cloud computing, data science, AI, and cybersecurity.
- Engage in Continuous Learning: The technology landscape is rapidly changing. Staying current with new trends and tools is key to remaining relevant.
- Learn Soft Skills: Communication, critical thinking, and creativity are even more important in the age of AI.
For those looking for help, take a look at AI for Jobseekers & Employers for helpful information about dealing with AI's impact on hiring and career development.
Approaches for Employers
Employers also need to change by:
Redesigning Roles: AI tools should be designed to assist human workers, not replace them.
Investing in Development: Provide continuous learning and development opportunities for staff.
Creating Hybrid Roles: Develop roles that integrate AI capabilities with human judgment, leading to dynamic new roles.
Leading organisations are already gaining a new agile, data-driven workforce by merging the human-touch with machine-based advantages.
Conclusion
AI and automation are not threats to the IT profession, but opportunities for change. The future of every individual in IT will be determined by their ability to be flexible. To demonstrate this flexibility in a profitable way, UK IT professionals need to embrace change and reskill themselves to achieve an innovative and exciting future in tech.
