Bill Gates' doomsday AI prediction edges closer after data shows UK job prospects at decade-low
Billionaire software developer Bill Gates’ prediction about what jobs will survive AI is edging closer after job vacancies in the UK have fallen to a five-year low.
The Microsoft co-founder, worth approximately $109.3 billion, warns that many jobs will be obsolete in the near future - with only three being AI-proof, the Economic Times reports.
Coders, aka the ‘architects of AI’, energy experts and biologists, according to the 70-year-old, have skills that AI cannot replicate to the level required.
He thinks that AI can't do complex problem-solving, strategic decision-making and tasks based on creative intuition yet.
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Gates acknowledges that AI’s impact on the job market is uncertain and will likely evolve in ways we won't see coming.
What is certain is that the number of job vacancies in the UK is approaching levels not seen since the pandemic.
According to jobs site Adzuna, the number of vacancies fell by three percent last month to 694,000, continuing a downward trend seen throughout late 2025.
Vacancies were down by 16 percent compared with January 2025, and by 19 percent since six months ago.
‘Teaching and cleaning’ jobs
“Our January figures show hiring is approaching pandemic-era levels, and with graduate roles falling to a record low, this suggests the market is far from being on stable footing – yet,” said Andrew Hunter of Adzuna.
“There are signs of resilience as 2026 gets under way. Wages continue to rise steadily, outpacing inflation for another month and several key sectors are seeing strong growth as employers compete for skilled workers.
“It’s encouraging to see areas such as teaching and domestic and cleaning continue to add jobs, showing that demand hasn’t disappeared entirely across the economy.”
‘The self-employment route’
Due to the high cost of living, increased national insurance costs and the rising use of AI, the job market is seriously tough right now - especially for graduates.
“It’s been tough for businesses to deal with domestic policies that have increased the cost of labour, especially for part-time roles, and the instability and cost increases associated with the conflict in the Middle East have resulted in many employers pressing pause on potential growth plans,” Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said.
“That lack of confidence is tough to overcome, and there is a real fear that younger workers will be badly scarred by what could be a protracted period of weakness in the jobs market.
“Some job seekers have decided to go down the self-employment route, but the number of people with second jobs has fallen.
“This could be because cost of living pressures have eased, or perhaps because part-time roles have become more difficult to find.”
‘It’s a highly unwelcome trend’ for graduates
Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at the Wealth Club, added: “The fall in vacancies to a five-year low is another sign that the UK jobs market is losing momentum.
“Employers are becoming more hesitant about taking on new staff as they try and cope with an uncertain economic outlook and deal with higher wage costs.
“For young people hoping to get their first break in the jobs market, it’s a highly unwelcome trend.
“Entry-level positions are often among the first roles to be cut back when businesses become more selective about recruitment.
“The sharp decline in vacancies among smaller firms is a big worry, given that these businesses have traditionally played a vital role in providing opportunities for younger workers taking their first steps into the world of work.”
Topics: Bill Gates, Jobs, Technology, UK News, AI
Anish Vij