Chances are, you’re having conversations about artificial intelligence (AI) with friends, at work, or in your professional circles. And with the exponential growth of machine learning technologies and platforms like ChatGPT, you might wonder how AI has the potential to impact your career.
For workers who’ve been through a global pandemic, economic recession, and the Great Resignation in quick succession, automation probably feels like yet another new normal to adapt to.
But whether your workplace is discussing AI or another disruptive innovation, taking the initiative to learn more will help guide you through these new ideas. Let’s explore how AI is changing entire industries, what opportunities there are for new career growth and a list of jobs that are less likely to be automated.
The rise of AI in the workplace
According to a 2022 global study by McKinsey, the adoption of AI for at least one business function has more than doubled since 2017. The study found that 50% of businesses used AI in 2022, compared to 20% in 2017. But the numbers aren’t on a constant incline. In the last few years, the rate has plateaued between 50–60%, with 2019 reporting a high of 58%.
Whether organizations finally incorporate AI or not into their business models, the incentives could be enormous. They have the potential to reduce labor shortages and skills gaps, automate repetitive tasks, and safeguard businesses from costly administrative errors.
And profit potentials are enticing, too. AI and other new technologies might lower supply chain costs and drive a 7% increase in global GDP, with market opportunity worth an estimated $6 trillion over the next decade. It’s no wonder why many businesses are excited to start talking about AI.
A report by Goldman Sachs hypothesizes that roughly two-thirds of US occupations will at least partially interact with automation and AI technologies, but AI is more likely to complement workflow than take over jobs.
Although its popularity is rising, think of AI as a tool rather than a takeover. There are still dozens of jobs that computers can’t do, and chances are, AI will even make your job easier.
11 jobs that won’t be automated
Chatbots act as online receptionists and machines increasingly handle complex manufacturing systems on factory lines, but some jobs require the human touch. These include creative positions and social industries like education and healthcare.
Here are 11 fields that experts anticipate won’t be fully automated anytime soon:
1. Healthcare
The road to diagnosing illnesses and creating treatment plans relies on more than medical know-how. Effective healthcare also depends on human interaction.
Soft skills like emotional intelligence, intuitive decision-making, and humor are key to developing relationships with patients, and good bedside manner makes patients more likely to recover. Treating unspecific symptoms and dissecting data-scarce situations also depends on human context and intuition that technological advancements are unlikely to replace.
While healthcare increasingly depends on machines for data collection and analysis, monitoring patient progress, and administrative tasks, healthcare requires critical thinking that machines currently can’t match. This is great news for current and aspiring healthcare professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the healthcare industry is expected to grow faster than average, meaning many open jobs for humans to fill.
2. Education
While digital technology has brought the classroom online, human interaction is still important to the education sector. Learning is a complex social interplay that depends on constant and consistent feedback between teachers and students. Every student has unique needs, and a teacher’s interpersonal skills and ability to adjust their expertise to those needs are key to advancing the learning process and motivating students.
This is why teaching is among the occupations least at risk of mechanization. Only an estimated 27% of the educational sector can be automated — mostly in the administrative office. Machines can streamline secretarial data entry, food, and janitorial services, but they can’t currently replace effective teaching.
3. Software
The more people rely on automation, the more the job market will need workers with expertise in computer systems. That’s good news for software engineers, software developers, and other professionals who know how to work with and program machines.
High-quality tech candidates are already advantaged job seekers. The digital skills gap is wide, and companies worldwide struggle to fill tech jobs. And the growing need for people who can design, build, and manage new computer systems is likely why software industries will grow. According to the BLS, software development will grow by 25% from 2021–2031, and computer systems analysis will grow by 9% during the same timeframe.
4. Information technology (IT) and data services
Businesses that want to stay competitive will need to join the digital transformation. Emerging AI, big data, and cloud technologies open opportunities for both full-time jobs and independent consulting positions.
While the field is expected to grow 15% from 2021–2031, not all individual job roles will grow in demand. The BLS predicts that professionals working in security and quality assurance, like computer research scientists, information security analysts, and software testers, will be in above-average demand.
But the need for programmers will actually shrink by 10%. For people who only code for a living, it’s a great time to upskill or reskill for better job opportunities.
5. Creative industries
Programs like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and AIVA can write copy, create images, and compose songs. And rightfully so, professionals across the creative industry are worried that generative AI will come for their jobs.
But according to several studies, the future of writing, graphic design, and other creative occupations is fairly safe. 2023 estimates suggest that computers could automate only 26% of arts, design, entertainment, and media tasks.
In its current state, AI can only work with the data sets humans feed it, which leaves it vulnerable to copyright infringements and other security risks. This also means that AI can’t come up with original ideas, so creatives don’t have to worry just yet.
6. Human resources
Many human resource managers already use AI to process compensation and benefits, manage performance, and recruit and hire. AI tools can potentially bring enormous benefits to managing workforces, like curbing human cognitive biases and centralizing information about an employee’s lifecycle.
But human resource managers make decisions that significantly impact people’s lives. An AI’s mistake shouldn’t be the reason why a company rejects a qualified candidate. Concerns around algorithmic biases and privacy mean that the automation risk is low. It’s more likely humans will use AI to complement decision-making rather than do it for them.
7. Law
Although it’s long been speculated that AI will interrupt law services, machines likely won’t replace lawyers in the near future. The vast majority of AI tools in law are related to paralegal work, not law as a whole. Technologies can manage large libraries of documents as well as read, analyze, and summarize documentation to help build legal strategies.
According to the BLS, lawyers will remain high in demand with an above-average 10% growth from 2021–2031. They continue using human insight to find nuances in court cases and build sensical arguments that involve both data and interpersonal strategy.
8. Public relations (PR)
Successful PR is all about building relationships and leveraging your professional network. While AI technology can analyze and use big data to help shape strategy, a PR professional’s creativity, ability to express empathy, and people management skills are intrinsically human.
9. Politics and public policy
AI systems are only as good as the data humans offer them. According to the Centre for Public Impact, there isn’t enough data infrastructure for effective AI models in the public sector. Significant amounts of data are offline, buried in bureaucracy, or spread across different departments and information silos.
As well, public policy development and laws exist to meet human needs. Successful politics depends on professionals with well-developed soft skills like empathy, persuasiveness, and cognitive flexibility — uniquely human qualities that machine learning can’t currently mimic.
10. Digital marketing and strategy specialists
Digital marketing is an occupation that revolves around technological advancements and new digital commerce spaces, so the industry will likely take advantage of emerging AI. Machine learning technologies make it easier to gather consumer insights, analyze purchasing patterns, and spot new market opportunities.
But digital marketers will likely remain ahead of the curve as technology becomes more sophisticated. AI might be able to gather insights, but developing in-depth strategies is still something humans can do. According to the BLS, the marketing industry is expected to grow by 10% from 2021–2031.
11. Business managers
If your professional goal is to rise up the company ladder from supervisor to manager and eventually CEO, you’re probably safe from AI. While each industry will interact with AI differently, it’s unlikely that algorithms will fully automate leadership positions. They require too much hands-on experience and people skills.
But algorithms, big data, and AI will likely become integral to capturing long-term trends, predicting successful business strategy, and analyzing future opportunities. If your career path is set on leading people, staying current on emerging technologies should be part of your professional development plan.
What can you do about it?
AI isn’t the first or the last new technology to stoke fear and drastically change the shape of the job market. This statement might seem intimidating, but the popularity of AI doesn’t mean the whole economy is doomed. There are still many industries that AI can’t yet replace, if ever.
But there are jobs that automation could complete more easily than a human. Current hypotheses suggest that jobs most at risk are roles requiring low education levels and performing highly routine tasks. This includes:
Don’t let these predictions scare you. Throughout history, new jobs emerge with technological innovation and offset the loss of other occupations. A recent study by economist David Autor found that 60% of today’s workers have occupations that didn’t exist in 1940, which is a staggering number.
The rise of AI will likely create even more positions in the market, even though it might eliminate some. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, machines will replace around 75 million jobs and another 133 million will form as the field grows.
These new jobs are already here. In 2023, TIME reported that brand new roles as AI prompt engineers pay a whopping $335,000 annually — and that more new jobs will follow. If you’re feeling worried about losing your job, your emotions are valid, but you shouldn’t let that fear consume you. There will be more opportunities.
What skills will be in demand?
The Department of Labor’s current data suggests that soft skills will continue to be in high demand over the next 10 years. If you’re worried about AI’s impact on your position, consider upskilling or reskilling the following soft skills:
Staying up to date with the technology curve is always a good idea. Take stock of your current computer skills and consider enrolling in online courses, depending on how your industry’s reacting to AI’s impact. Forums, groups, and publications are also great resources for understanding where your industry is moving and how to keep up with it.
The jobs of tomorrow
While AI’s impact on the future of work isn’t yet clear, emerging technologies might still change how you interact with your current position. But there are plenty of jobs that won’t be automated, as well as opportunities to use AI to level up your skills and push your career into the future.
Whether you’re looking for a new job or analyzing the longevity of your current one, stay in touch with relevant hard and soft skills and make purposeful decisions as your industry ebbs and flows with the future.
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