As the sophistication of AI escalates, a growing number of individuals are questioning, “Is my employment secure?” AI is no longer the stuff of imaginative sci-fi tales. It’s present, altering our lives and redefining the employment landscape. But what implications does this hold for our forthcoming days? Will our jobs succumb to robotic automation, or will this innovation spawn fresh opportunities?
We, too, delved into the impact on our careers and were elated to discover that the probability of our marketing manager roles being automated or replaced by AI and robotics was a mere 1.4%. Moreover, it was a relief to discover that writing had a relatively low risk at a 3.8% chance of automation. Still, it made us ponder over occupations that weren’t as fortunate.
However, similar to AI forecasts, its accuracy is likely to be less than an absolute 100% — primarily due to the non-uniform nature of job titling. For instance, one writer might focus on crafting exciting novels while others may produce news articles or blog entries. Likewise, a marketing manager could handle social media outreach in one context and content management in another. Though it’s pretty intriguing site to navigate, we firmly advocate for future career choices to be guided by professional counsel. This strategy helps you avoid undue alarm, significantly when AI could advance your career rather than impede it.
Furthermore, if you find yourself in a risky job position, experts can guide you toward the skills that can render your career resilient against future changes. To provide a clearer picture of jobs at risk and those likely to be secure, we’ve collated lists of employment based on expert insights, statistics, and other research that AI can and cannot replace. Yet, before delving into this list, let’s first examine the ongoing state of disruption.
AI’s Impact on Jobs is Already Disrupting Entire Industries
Suppose you believe that AI-induced job disruption confines only to manufacturing sectors. In that case, it’s time to rethink: AI outperforms humans in certain aspects of sales and marketing. The capacity of AI to analyze sales calls significantly surpasses that of any human sales manager — to be precise, a human would need nine uninterrupted years of sales call analysis to match AI, and that’s without taking any breaks or sleep.
Furthermore, AI shapes marketers’ content strategies and devising email marketing schemes — it’s merely a matter of time before AI assumes a more significant role in these processes. The reality likely resides midway between these extremes — in numerous situations, AI will be a tool that simplifies our jobs and augments our efficiency and data-driven capabilities. However, it’s undeniable that machines will supplant some occupations — this is a fundamental characteristic of any industrial or technological transformation. The silver lining is that some jobs will undergo modification to accommodate the “careers” introduced by new technologies.
Jobs Under Threat from AI
i.) Routine Jobs
AI excels in the sphere of repetitive tasks. Occupations that entail monotonous work, such as assembly line functions or data entry duties, are prime candidates for automation. The benefits of machines are clear – they do not fatigue, require any breaks, and can operate continuously.
ii.) Data-Centric Jobs
The potential of AI to process massive volumes of data swiftly and flawlessly endangers data-centric jobs. In areas ranging from financial assessments to market studies, AI can execute these duties more rapidly and with fewer discrepancies.
iii.) Customer Support Jobs
AI-enabled chatbots have already begun to address customer queries, offering immediate replies and round-the-clock service. This trend could lead to a reduction in job opportunities in call centers and customer support divisions.
Jobs Resistant to AI Disruption
i.) Creative Roles
While AI can simulate patterns, it falls short of genuine human creativity. Occupations necessitating novel ideas, such as artists, writers, and designers, are shielded from AI usurpation.
Remember to check our creativity in video production using AI.
ii.) Roles Demanding Human Engagement
AI is incapable of duplicating human sentiments or empathy. Professions that call for a personal touch, like therapists, educators, or nurses, will invariably require a human presence.
iii.) Roles Involving Intricate
Decision-Making AI excels in number crunching but needs to improve in intricate decision-making that demands intuition, seasoned experience, and comprehension of subtle contexts. Therefore, leaders, managers, and strategists can rest assured.
Read Also: Automation of passports.
10 Jobs AI Can Replace
1. Computer Support Specialists
Probability of being replaced: 65%
Explanation: The sector will expand by 12% by 2024, but considering the vast amount of instructional content, detailed guides, and shortcuts available online, it’s hardly surprising that corporations may increasingly depend on bots and automation to address support queries from staff and clients in the times to come.
2. Telemarketers
Probability of being replaced: 99%
Reason: You’ve likely already encountered automated calls promoting various products and services. Consequently, the career expansion in telemarketing will shrink by 3% by 2024. Telemarketing doesn’t demand significant social or emotional intelligence for success compared to other sales roles. Consider this — are you inclined to purchase from a telemarketer? The conversion rates for direct phone sales usually fall below 10%, rendering this role an ideal candidate for automation.
3. Bookkeeping Clerks
Probability: 98%
Explanation: Employment in this role is forecasted to decrease by 8% by 2024, and the reasons are clear — a significant portion of bookkeeping is transitioning to automated systems if it still needs to do so. AI tools offer software solutions that handle bookkeeping tasks, often at a cost much lower than a human’s. Therefore, it’s not surprising that this job carries such a high risk of automation.
4. Compensation and Benefits Managers
Probability: 96%
Reason: Despite an anticipated job growth of 7% by 2024, this role resists automation. As businesses expand, especially into international markets, relying on a human-operated, paper-based system can cause more complications, delays, and financial drain. Automated benefits platforms can streamline the process of offering benefits to a large workforce, with solutions like Ultipro and Workday already seeing widespread usage.
5. Receptionists
Probability: 96%
Explanation: Automated phone and scheduling systems are poised to replace many of the functions of the traditional receptionist role, particularly in tech firms without extensive office phone systems or in multinational corporations.
6. Couriers
Probability: 94%
Reason: With drones and robots already replacing couriers and delivery personnel, it’s only time before automation takes over this area. However, with an expected growth of 5% by 2024, this change might happen slower than anticipated.
7. Proofreaders
Probability: 84%
Explanation: The proliferation of proofreading software — utilized extensively at HubSpot — from Microsoft Word’s basic spellcheck and grammar tool to Grammarly and Hemingway App simplifies self-editing one’s writing.
8. Market Research Analysts
Probability: 61%
Reason: Despite their crucial role in shaping messaging, content, and products, automated AI and survey tools overshadow market research analysts. For instance, GrowthBot can market research local businesses and competitors through a straightforward Slack command.
9. Advertising Salespeople
Probability: 54%
Explanation: As advertising trends move from traditional print and TV to the web and social media, salespeople need to manage those sales less. Social media platforms are simplifying ad space purchases through APIs and self-serve ad marketplaces, eliminating the need for a salesperson, speeding up the process, and making it easier for users to profit. The projected 3% industry decline mirrors this trend.
10. Retail Salespeople
Probability: 92%
A visit to a mall, car dealership, or furniture store today might involve something other than interacting with a salesperson. The shopping experience is becoming more self-service oriented with features like self-checkout, and modern consumers, armed with internet research, are increasingly capable of making purchase decisions independently.
How to Future-Proof Your Career From AI
While AI is poised to take over smaller, more time-consuming tasks, it cannot readily replicate human emotions and behaviors that resonate with customers and audiences. For instance, even today, some customers prefer interacting with human customer service representatives rather than bots when facing an issue.
Additionally, companies will always require roles such as chief executive or manager, which demand vital emotional intelligence and other teamwork-oriented skills. Similarly, AI might need help to replace creative positions or services that require employees to think unconventionally or pioneer uncharted territories.
The most effective way to “robot-proof” your career is to identify irreplaceable skills and traits, focus on them, and continuously improve them. This adaptability can make the transition into different roles smoother and help you stand out to hiring managers due to your unique blend of logistical and creative skills. Such flexibility and resilience can be invaluable in a rapidly changing job market. Moreover, you could appear more valuable to a hiring manager due to your unique blend of logistical and creative skills.