How AI is Reshaping Jobs at Clifford Chance and PwC

Essential brief

Key facts

Clifford Chance is cutting about 10% of its London back-office roles due to AI adoption and operational shifts.

AI is automating routine office tasks, enabling firms to increase productivity but reduce staff numbers.

PwC has scaled back hiring targets, reflecting AI’s impact on entry-level jobs and workforce needs.

There is a growing demand for AI specialists, but firms face difficulties recruiting qualified talent.

The professional services sector is actively adapting to AI-driven changes in job roles and recruitment.

Highlights

Clifford Chance is cutting about 10% of its London back-office roles due to AI adoption and operational shifts.

AI is automating routine office tasks, enabling firms to increase productivity but reduce staff numbers.

PwC has scaled back hiring targets, reflecting AI’s impact on entry-level jobs and workforce needs.

There is a growing demand for AI specialists, but firms face difficulties recruiting qualified talent.

Clifford Chance, one of the world’s largest law firms, is cutting about 10% of its London business services staff, roughly 50 roles, due to increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and shifting operational demands.

The redundancies affect departments like finance, human resources, and IT, with another 35 roles undergoing changes in scope.

The firm also cited a strategic move to shift some work to offices outside the UK and US, including locations such as Poland and India.

This reflects a broader trend where AI automates routine, office-based tasks such as coding, contract review, scheduling, and research, enabling companies to boost productivity but potentially reduce headcount.

Supporting this, a survey of 850 business leaders across seven countries found that 41% have already cut employee numbers thanks to AI-driven efficiencies.

PwC’s global chairman, Mohamed Kande, echoed this sentiment by revealing the company will no longer meet its previous target of hiring 100,000 people over five years, set before AI’s rapid rise.

He noted that while PwC still aims to hire, the nature and volume of roles will change, with fewer entry-level positions and a greater demand for AI specialists.

However, PwC is facing challenges recruiting the AI talent it needs, highlighting a skills gap in the market.

The UK head of PwC also attributed a recent reduction in graduate recruitment partly to economic slowdown but acknowledged AI’s role in reshaping job functions.

These developments illustrate how AI is transforming professional services, driving firms to rethink workforce strategies, balance automation with human expertise, and navigate recruitment challenges in a changing labor market.