Clifford Chance, a prominent international law firm, has announced plans to reduce its business services staff in London by 10%. This decision, reportedly impacting around 50 roles in areas such as finance, HR, and IT, is influenced by the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the firm. Additionally, changes affecting up to 35 other positions may alter their scope or structure.
The Financial Times indicates that the cuts are driven by a combination of heightened AI adoption and a decrease in demand for certain business services. Moreover, some functions are being relocated to offices in countries like Poland and India, where operational costs may be lower.
A representative from Clifford Chance confirmed the proposed changes are part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency. These adjustments could potentially lead to the creation of new roles as existing ones are revised, in addition to some roles being eliminated.
In a related context, PwC has also begun adjusting its hiring practices in light of AI advancements. The firm’s global chairman highlighted that it would no longer meet its previous target of hiring 100,000 new staff over five years due to the impact of AI, which may alter the nature of the workforce needed. Despite this, PwC is reportedly facing challenges in finding qualified AI specialists to lead their initiatives.
A survey conducted among 850 business leaders across multiple countries revealed that 41% noted AI’s role in allowing them to streamline staff numbers. This trend raises questions about the future of white-collar jobs as companies aim for higher productivity while navigating technological developments.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/21/increased-ai-use-law-firm-clifford-chance-cuts-london-jobs-10-per-cent