UK AI Data Centers May Create Far Fewer Jobs Than Industry Forecasts, Think Tank Warns

Summary

A report from economic think tank Verdant says planned U.K. AI data centers may create about 10,400 permanent operational jobs by 2035, roughly one quarter of techUK’s forecast of 40,200. Verdant also estimates that existing U.K. data centers support about 4,400 direct jobs, compared with techUK’s estimate of 24,300. The think tank based its calculation on planning applications and public staffing data from 20 planned facilities, and concluded that newer, larger sites would require fewer workers because of greater automation. It estimated an average of 1.2 operational jobs per megawatt, compared with techUK’s figure of 8.5 jobs per megawatt, which was based on assumptions drawn from older, smaller data centers. Verdant said techUK’s broader estimate also counts contractors and supply-chain jobs, while its own figures focus on workers employed at the facilities. TechUK defended its methodology and argued that Verdant used an unreliable small sample and understated the wider economic value of data centers. The U.K. government likewise challenged Verdant’s jobs-per-megawatt comparison and said the analysis overlooked the economic, national-security, and sovereignty value of computing infrastructure. The government has designated data centers as critical national infrastructure, while major technology companies have committed nearly $700 billion to data-center construction this year. Separately, demand for some data-center skilled-trade roles rose between 2022 and 2026, including a 107% increase for robotic technicians, according to a Randstad analysis of 50 million job postings.