UK workers could collectively safe 19 million hours a week by 2026 by using generative AI for routine and repetitive tasks, according to new research from Pearson, the global learning company.

The stat comes from the latest instalment of Pearson’s Skill Outlook series which looks ahead to 2026 and identifies the top ten job tasks with the most time saved by using the technology, in five countries (Australia, Brazil, India, UK and US).

Based on their research, Pearson found that generative AI can most effectively support tasks related to record maintenance, data collection, or researching and compiling information for others.

For the study, Pearson used census and other workforce datasets to create a single view of the current workforce across the countries involved in the research. Each job was viewed simply as a collection of tasks, and then calculated how much time was spent on each task each week. Then, they calculated what this would be in 2026 as GenAI is adopted into the workplace.

The company then calculated which tasks would have the greatest hours reduced by GenAI, specifically large language model chatbots and AI text-to-visual media generators.

Based on this methodology, Pearson compiled the top ten work tasks with the most hours saved by GenAI by 2026 in the UK.

Coming in number one is maintaining current knowledge in an area of expertise, which would have 679,000 hours saved by generative AI. However, Pearson did not explain what AI tools would reduce the time spent on maintaining expertise, or explain how this is not a “high value” task.

Next on the list is developing education programmes, plans, or procedures, followed by creating visual designs of displays.

A full list of the work tasks and their predicted saved hours is below.

1. Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise (679,000 hours)
2. Develop educational programs, plans, or procedures (665,000 hours)
3. Create visual designs or displays (525,000 hours)
4. Maintain operational records (512,000 hours)
5. Prepare legal or regulatory documents (490,000 hours)
6. Maintain health or medical records (406,000 hours)
7. Prepare reports of operational or procedural activities (401,000 hours)
8. Advise others on products or services (387,000 hours)
9. Explain regulations, policies, or procedures (386,000 hours)
10. Monitor individual behaviour or performance (383,000 hours)

By augmenting tasks with generative AI, companies and their workers may be able to reallocate time to focus on other work aspects, such as strategic thinking, collaboration, caring for others, decision making, innovation, problem solving, empathy and leadership.

“In nearly every workplace, people spend their day on common, time-consuming tasks that eat away at productivity or their work-life balance,” Oliver Latham, VP of strategy and growth for Pearson Workforce Skills, said.

Recommended

• TUC Introduces AI Bill to Protect Workers
• TUC Launches AI Taskforce to Protect Workers’ Rights
• Leading AI Firms Commit to New Safety Standards at Seoul Summit

“If those tasks could be augmented with generative AI, employers and their workers could reallocate time to the things that needs a more human touch and mean more to their customers.

“Employers should consider how to incorporate this new technology into their teams, and redesign roles to free people up to focus on more valuable, human tasks. They should also consider the need for training and support for employees, so they can use it effectively and responsibly.”