Business · Companies · 44 mins ago
Barclays plans 5,000 job cuts as it steps up AI use
Barclays plans to cut 5,000 jobs as it steps up its use of artificial intelligence.
The plan involves the bank’s workforce, but no details are given about which roles may be affected.
AI refers to computer systems used to perform tasks that can otherwise require human work.
Barclays is increasing its use of AI as it plans the job cuts.
The cuts would affect 5,000 workers, though no timetable is stated.
The available details do not say what happens next.
Barclays expects to cut about 5,000 jobs by the end of 2026, around 5% of its global workforce.
The bank says technology investments and more efficient processes, including the use of AI, are helping drive the reductions.
About 1,000 roles had already been cut by the first half of 2026, with the remaining cuts expected later in the year.
Most reductions involve operational, functional or support roles, with the bulk in UK retail banking.
Barclays reported £2.3bn in pre-tax profit for the three months to the end of September, up 12% from a year earlier.
- Who
- Barclays and its employees.
- What
- The bank expects to cut about 5,000 jobs, around 5% of its global workforce, as it increases efficiency through technology and AI.
- When
- By the end of 2026. About 1,000 roles had already been cut during the first half of the year.
- Where
- Across Barclays’ global operations, with most cuts in operational and functional roles and the bulk in UK retail banking.
- Why
- Barclays says technology investments and more efficient work processes, including AI, are enabling it to reduce roles.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Barclays had cut about 1,000 roles.
The remaining job reductions were expected to take place.
Barclays expected to have cut about 5,000 staff in total.
- Planned job cuts
- About 5,000
- Share of workforce
- About 5%
- Global workforce
- Around 93,000 at the end of 2025
- Roles already cut
- About 1,000 in the first half of 2026
- Third-quarter pre-tax profit
- £2.3bn, up 12% year on year
8 sources
Britse bank Barclays schrapt duizenden banen vanwege AI
Barclays to cut 5,000 jobs as bank’s bosses hail AI productivity advances
Barclays to cut 5,000 jobs by end of year after AI drive
Barclays to cut 5,000 jobs this year in push towards AI
Barclays cutting 5,000 jobs as it increases reliance on AI
Barclays to axe 5,000 jobs in huge blow to City as AI replaces workers
Barclays taglia 5mila dipendenti con la crescita dell’Ai
Barclays plans 5,000 job cuts as bank steps up AI adoption
What people are saying
These actions involve an expected reduction of circa 5,000 full-time employees. Around 60% of the group actions relate to support functions, including fewer developers, as AI makes our people more productive.
AI has an important role to play and may have a more important role to play in the future
a result of the investments which we’ve made into technology over a number of years and which we continue to make