CIOs in the UK to expect that up to 1 in 5 jobs will be replaced by AI and automation within five years, according to a survey from Harvey Nash and professional service firm KPMG.

It comes as IT departments are being tasked to use AI to improve efficiencies. Harvey Nash also states that this trend is likely to lead to a significant reorganisation of roles across the business. However, 69% of CIOs believe that new jobs will compensate for job losses to AI and automation.

Harvey Nash’s survey of CIOs also found that technology leaders are struggling to find the right talent with skills shortages at their highest level since 2008. The three most scarce skills are big data/analytics (44%), cyber security (39%) and AI (39%). 

Albert Ellis, CEO of Harvey Nash said that boards are asking their CIO and technology team to prioritise the automation of jobs, adding that “how organisations adapt to automation will increasingly become a priority, and many are not at all ready.”

The survey also showed that 74% of IT leaders feel their diversity and inclusion initiatives within their teams are at most moderately successful, and there has been only minimal growth in women on tech teams, 22% this year compared to 21% last year, and no change in the percentage of female technology leaders at 12%.

Harvey Nash’s survey also found that although the influence of the CIO remains intact (66% this year view the role as gaining influence compared to 65% in 2018), fewer CIOs now sit on the board, dropping from 71% to 58% in just two years.