You've probably heard a lot about how artificial intelligence is shaking up the job market and creating ripples of change in various industries. But, amidst all this talk of machines taking over jobs, you might wonder: “Are there careers safe from this AI disruption?”
Lucky for you, that's exactly what we’re diving into today. Get ready to discover which jobs are AI-proof, how to future-proof your career, and what makes certain roles low risk of automation.
The threat that AI poses to jobs and the workplace
So, what's the real story with AI and jobs?
Artificial intelligence is truly groundbreaking. It’s been transforming industries, streamlining processes, and even making decisions that were previously left to humans. Some studies from top-notch peer-reviewed journals indicate that a considerable percentage of jobs face the threat of automation. But don’t hit the panic button just yet!
It’s important to understand that while some careers are at risk, others are safe and secure. Jobs that involve creativity, human touch, empathy and unique human skills are generally considered safe from AI. Think about it — there’s a whole realm of jobs that AI can’t replace, simply because they require that intangible human element.
Repetitive tasks and roles which don’t require much human judgement are more susceptible to being disrupted. But remember: while AI may threaten some professions, it’s also creating entirely new career paths and opportunities. The future might look different, but it’s also full of potential for those ready to adapt and evolve.
Jobs at highest risk of automation
With the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, certain careers face a higher threat of automation than others. If you’re curious about which roles are at the top of this “endangered” list, Will Robots Take My Job? highlights these 10 occupations as the most likely to be disrupted by AI:
- Medical transcriptionists
- Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
- Machine feeders and offbearers
- Payroll and timekeeping clerks
- Textile winding, twisting and drawing-out machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Slaughterers and meat packers
- Graders and sorters of agricultural products
- Proofreaders and copy markers
- Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
20 jobs that AI can’t replace
Despite the disruptive power of artificial intelligence, there are careers that are firmly grounded in the human touch, creativity and intuition — things AI can't quite grasp. These roles aren’t just safe from AI; they thrive because of the unique human qualities we bring to the table.
The following list covers the top 20 in-demand careers with a low risk of automation:
20. Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians
Imagine recovering from a major injury and relying on a physician to not only understand your body but also your spirit. Earning an impressive median of $223,410, these physicians work miracles by merging medical science with personalized care, helping patients regain mobility and hope.
It’s an art and a science combined — something AI is far from mastering. Despite the advancements in technology, the human element in rehabilitation remains irreplaceable, ensuring these physicians a bright future in the face of automation.
19. Postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers
Future nurses, nervous and unsure, will need hands-on training and guidance from an experienced instructor who’s been in their shoes.
These educators, earning a median of $78,580, offer so much more than what’s in textbooks. They provide real-life experiences, mentorship and personal insights that no AI can match. Their indispensable role is only going to grow, as indicated by the whopping 21.5% projected growth.
This, combined with the nature of their job, offers a strong defense against the encroachment of automation.
18. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
Facing a roaring fire and the chaos it brings requires more than bravery; it demands leadership. Those at the helm, earning about $80,150 a year, play a crucial role in guiding their teams, ensuring safety and making life-saving decisions on the fly.
These responsibilities are deeply rooted in human judgment and intuition, making them inherently resistant to automation. While technology can aid, the unpredictable and high-stakes nature of fires ensures that the job security of these positions remains secure and ever-important.
17. Manufactured building and mobile home installers
When setting up a mobile home, these installers try to capture a perfect view of the landscape. But, with an average annual pay of $36,820, their work goes beyond nuts and bolts.
They’re tasked with making sure every home feels just right, something machines aren’t adept at yet. Though the industry sees some shifts, the human touch in this job ensures its relevance in the foreseeable future.
16. Landscape architects
Ever sat in a park and felt an inexplicable calm? Thank the landscape architects.
Earning around $73,210 a year, these artists don’t just plant trees; they craft experiences. They balance nature with design, ensuring every bench, path and plant feels purposeful.
While automation and AI can suggest layouts, capturing the essence of nature and ensuring sustainability requires human intuition. As our urban jungles expand, the need for green oases becomes even more vital, making this career rewarding as well as resilient against technological disruption.
15. Architects
You know that feeling when you walk into a space and it just feels right? That’s an architect’s magic.
These artistic visionaries design more than just buildings; they craft experiences. Every corner, arch and window tells a story. Earning an average of $82,840 a year, they aren’t just drawing lines, but also capturing dreams and emotions.
AI might get the math right, but the soul of a design? That’s a human touch. As cities continue to grow, architects remain in demand, facing a relatively low risk from automation.
14. Education administrators
Think back to your school days. Remember the plays, the science fairs, the soccer matches? Behind all that were the education administrators, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Earning a median annual wage of $101,320, their job isn’t just about logistics, though. They’re shaping futures, creating environments where young minds thrive.
And while AI can crunch numbers, the delicate task of nurturing growth and fostering innovation in young minds demands human intuition and empathy. So, rest assured, in the evolving educational landscape, their roles remain secure and future-ready.
13. Preventive medicine physicians
Preventive medicine physicians. They live by a golden mantra: “Prevention is better than cure.” Beyond diagnosis, they delve into the intricacies of individual lives, creating tailored wellness strategies.
Sure, AI’s data prowess is impressive, but it pales compared to the human touch and comprehensive approach these experts offer. With a significant median annual salary of $223,410 and a projected growth of 2.4%, their value in the healthcare spectrum is clear. And with a risk score of 7.1/10, they stand resilient in a world steering towards automation.
12. Nurse practitioners
Frontliners in healthcare, nurse practitioners strike a delicate balance, merging medical acumen with heartfelt care. Their role isn’t confined to treatment; they’re attuned to the emotional subtleties of their patients, making them irreplaceable in a sector where compassion is key.
With a whopping projected growth rate of 45.7% and a 29.07% automation risk, it’s clear their combination of expertise and humanity is highly valued. Their crucial role in the healthcare landscape is mirrored by an impressive median yearly salary of $121,610.
11. Clinical nurse specialists
Masters of niche nursing areas, clinical nurse specialists stand out by offering both expert care and specialized guidance. Their deep knowledge, complemented by their empathetic approach, equips them to navigate intricate health challenges with ease.
Their holistic care model, focused on both physical and emotional wellbeing, ensures their role remains resilient against automation. With a projected growth of 6.2% and a median salary of $81,220 a year, it’s evident that their blend of skill and empathy is indispensable in the medical realm.
10. Music therapists
Music therapists master the art of evoking emotions and healing through sound. Their expertise lies not just in understanding melodies but also in recognizing the profound psychological impact they can have.
With a projected growth of 11.2% and an automation risk at 36%, it’s clear that while technology might identify a beat, it cannot replace the human touch essential in this field. Their irreplaceable role in therapeutic healing is acknowledged with a median annual salary of $60,800.
9. Postsecondary art, drama and music teachers
Cultivating creativity goes beyond mere instruction; it requires passion, insight and a deep understanding of human potential. Postsecondary teachers in the arts are pivotal in molding the future luminaries of the artistic world. Their contribution is not just informational, but also inspirational, something AI cannot replicate.
The projected growth rate of 8.8%, combined with a 22.46% risk of automation, emphasizes the human-centric nature of their role, supported by a rewarding median salary of $77,280.
8. Recreational therapists
Recreational therapists are the architects of therapeutic experiences. Using activities ranging from art workshops to physical sports, they design personalized therapies that tap into the heart and soul of every patient.
With a projected growth rate of 3.6% and an automation risk of 22.37%, it’s evident that the unique human elements of intuition and emotional insight they bring are indispensable. Their role’s importance is mirrored by a steady median salary of $51,330, proving that genuine human connection remains in demand.
7. Occupational therapists
Occupational therapists are the guiding lights for many on the path to functional independence. By analyzing and understanding each patient’s unique challenges and aspirations, they devise holistic approaches that go beyond physical therapy.
Their role emphasizes emotional wellbeing and confidence-building, aspects AI simply cannot grasp. With a promising growth rate of 13.9%, and only an 18.67% risk of automation, their irreplaceable nature is reflected in a median salary of $93,180, emphasizing their pivotal position in healthcare.
6. General surgeons
General surgeons have to learn the intricate human anatomy, wielding scalpel and expertise with precision. Beyond their in-depth medical knowledge, it’s their capacity for rapid judgement, grounded in years of experience, that sets them apart.
With an anticipated growth rate of 2.6% and a risk factor rated at 6.2/10, it’s evident that AI, while useful for some analytical tasks, cannot replace the intricate decision-making and dexterity they offer.
5. Orthopedic surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons don’t just mend bones; they restore mobility and hope. Their role goes beyond surgery; it involves understanding the complex web of muscles, ligaments and bones.
Predicting a growth of 2.7% and faced with a 21.25% automation risk, their job underscores the importance of the human factor in medical care. A risk rating of 6.5/10 suggests that while AI may support, it’s the surgeon’s touch and judgement that remains irreplaceable.
4. Pediatric surgeons
Pediatric surgeons operate on the delicate and still-developing bodies of children. This isn’t just about surgical skill but also about understanding the unique needs of young patients and providing comfort in distressing times. While technology advances, no AI can replicate the intuition and tenderness required here.
Despite a growth rate of 2.2%, they face only a 28.02% automation risk. With a risk level voted at 6.1/10, their vital role in healthcare remains firmly grounded in human expertise. That is why so many are opting to become a surgeon.
3. Postsecondary architecture teachers
Postsecondary architecture teachers play a pivotal role, marrying artistic vision with structural pragmatism for budding architects. They not only teach design principles but also inspire students with personal anecdotes and hands-on experiences.
Earning a median salary of $93,220, and with a job growth projection of 7.8%, their role is reflective of the continued need for human mentorship in education. Facing a 43% risk of automation, their 6.8/10 risk rating emphasizes the invaluable human element they bring to architecture education.
2. Art therapists
Art therapists harness the transformative power of creative expression, helping individuals process and heal emotionally. They tap into the deep recesses of human emotions, something AI can’t comprehend.
With a median annual salary of $60,800, their value is evident. Despite a projected job growth of 11.2%, they face a 23.48% automation risk. However, the very essence of their profession, as rated at 7.4/10, suggests that the emotional depth and human connection they offer can’t be replaced by artificial intelligence.
1. Choreographers
Choreographers’ jobs are, according to Will Robots Take My Job?, the least likely to be taken over by AI.
They breathe life into dance, translating stories and emotions into mesmerizing movements. Their unique ability to capture the intricacies of human sentiment ensures that they stand strong against the automation wave.
Earning a median salary of $50,990 per year, their contributions to the world of art are undeniable. Even with a growth rate of 29.7%, they confront a 28.24% chance of being impacted by AI. Yet their voted risk level of 7.2/10 attests to the irreplaceable nature of their craft in the face of technology.
How to future-proof your career
Curious about navigating this rapidly changing world filled with artificial intelligence and automation? Fret not.
With AI transforming industries left and right, it’s not just about finding AI-proof jobs, but about making your current career AI-resistant. Here’s the scoop on being future-ready and ensuring you won’t be replaced:
- Be an early adopter. Don’t shy away from technology. Embrace it! You position yourself ahead of the disruption curve by staying updated with the latest tech.
- Develop new skills. Continuous learning is the name of the game. Whether AI is a threat or an ally, mastering new skills ensures you remain in demand.
- Hone your soft skills. AI can’t replace human emotions or creativity. Strengthen your communication, empathy and critical thinking — they're more valuable than you think.
- Network and collaborate. Building strong relationships in your industry will help you survive any wave of automation. Plus, teamwork makes the dream work!
- Diversify your expertise. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Branch out. Being versatile reduces the risk of being disrupted by AI.
- Stay updated on industry trends. The future might seem uncertain, but by keeping an ear to the ground, you can anticipate changes and adapt accordingly.
In a nutshell, the threat of automation is real, but with the right moves, you can ensure your career remains safe, secure and thriving.
Key takeaways
Navigating the choppy waters of AI and automation in our career landscapes can be daunting, but armed with knowledge, you’re set to sail smoothly.
Here are the main points of we went over in the article:
- AI is on course to take over many jobs, including those of court reporters and medical transcriptionists.
- Still, some careers seem to be perfectly safe from automation, such as architects, choreographers and surgeons.
- There are many ways you can future-proof your own career, including by developing your skills, diversifying and staying informed.
What’s your take? Let us know in the comments section below.