AI is taking over many jobs, and it’s causing a lot of anxiety for both current workers and job seekers. The fast growth of AI technology has many wondering if their careers are at risk.
Recent studies indicate that people are searching for “AI-proof” careers—roles they believe can offer job security as automation becomes more common.
A Microsoft study sheds light on this issue. It analyzed over 200,000 anonymized conversations from its Bing Copilot chatbot between January and September 2024. The goal? To see what tasks users wanted AI to assist with. From this, researchers developed “AI applicability scores” for different jobs, indicating which roles might change due to AI support and which ones could be more resistant to automation.
However, it’s important to note that just because a job has a high AI applicability score doesn’t mean it will disappear. Microsoft emphasizes that their findings don’t suggest AI will completely replace human roles. Instead, AI could change how tasks are accomplished.
Microsoft representatives mentioned, “Our research shows that AI supports tasks in research, writing, and communication, but it can’t fully perform any single occupation.” Interestingly, the study found that high AI applicability doesn’t guarantee higher wages, as it lacks information about the broader impact of new tech on businesses.
But why are companies turning to automation? Many business leaders believe that AI can help reduce costs and improve efficiency. Executives are increasingly vocal about wanting AI to cut expenses, leading to fewer new hires, especially in white-collar jobs—areas where Microsoft’s study suggests AI poses a significant threat.
Ford CEO Jim Farley stated that AI could potentially replace “half of all white-collar workers in the U.S.” This has led some companies to implement policies requiring managers to justify hiring decisions when AI could accomplish the task.
While AI can save money, experts caution against fully automated solutions. For example, writers, despite being at high risk due to AI applicability, often produce lower-quality content when using AI. This raises concerns about dependence on AI-generated work.
According to former Google executive Mo Gawdat, we might face immediate challenges because of AI-driven job loss, potentially leading to a “short-term dystopia” in the coming years. Most experts agree that augmenting human jobs with AI rather than replacing them is a better approach to harnessing AI’s potential.
So, which jobs are likely to remain human-run? Here are some roles that the Microsoft study suggests are safer:
- Tire Repairers and Changers
- Ship Engineers
- Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Plant and System Operators
- Embalmers
- Helpers—Painters, Plasterers
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
- Nursing Assistants
- Phlebotomists
Many of these roles require specialized skills or hands-on expertise that AI struggles to replicate.
On the flip side, jobs deemed at high risk of automation include:
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio DJs
- Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
- Telephone Operators
- CNC Tool Programmers
- Customer Service Representatives
- Writers and Authors
- Service Sales Representatives
- Passenger Attendants
- Historians
- Interpreters and Translators
In these roles, the potential for AI to handle tasks is larger, indicating a shift toward automation in knowledge and sales occupations.
As we move forward, it’s clear that while AI will influence the job market, the way we integrate it into work will be crucial. Balancing the benefits of AI with the need for meaningful employment will be a defining challenge of our times.
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