Many students whether entering or exiting college wonder which career paths will remain safe from AI in the coming years. It’s a question worth asking.
According to Flori Needle at Hubspot, these 10 careers are in danger of being replaced with AI:
Telemarketing
Bookkeeping Clerks
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Receptionists
Couriers
Proofreaders
Computer Support Specialists
Market Research Analysts
Advertising Salespeople
Retail Salespeople
Bernard Marr of Forbes adds any data entry jobs, some manufacturing or assembly line jobs, and translators will also be replaced. Even some basic analytical roles that generate market reports or financial summaries will also be replaced, leaving more complex analysis to humans.
Experts say that any careers that require emotional intelligence, contextual creativity, discernment and manual labor that AI cannot replicate are safe. This could be roles in sales, building and developing teams, establishing interpersonal relationships, training and teaching others, or resolving conflict and negotiating. Therapists, teachers, counselors and social workers require significant social and emotional skills and will be safe.
Some example of "AI resistant careers" listed by Needle of Hubspot include:
Human Resource Managers
Sales Managers
Marketing Managers
Public Relations Managers
Chief Executives
Event Planners
Writers
Software Developers
Editors
Graphic Designers
We have all experienced that retail sales people are being replaced by automated checkouts. However, high level sales people who need to develop relationships with clients will still be needed.
People in all fields may use AI to be more efficient and to complete time consuming or monotonous tasks. Editors may use AI for grammar and clarity, but the final review must be done by a human to ensure it reads well. Some experts fear that as AI hones its creative skills, graphic designers and photographers will be at risk. Flori Needle of Hubspot argues that most people will prefer a graphic designer who creates original work that is tailored to their business and developed through a relationship and a design process. I will attest, True Compass recently posted an image of a frustrated student created with AI, and it was, well, awkward.
Jack Kelly of Forbes also offers a list of new roles that will emerge in the workforce due to AI, including:
AI specialists and developers
Data scientists and analysts with domain expertise
User experience and human-computer interaction specialists
Creative professionals who can collaborate with AI tools.
AI Ethics Officer
Data privacy specialist
AI-assisted healthcare provider
AI implementation strategist
The best advice is to be the best at what you do, and to be adaptable. If parts of your role can be done with AI, focus on the tasks that require a human touch and work to perfect those skills. Don't be afraid of AI or other technological advances, but use them to your advantage. It's important to get a clear understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
Through aptitude assessments such as the Highlands Ability Battery and personality tests such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, I 've gained valuable insights into where I excel and where I could improve. For example, my visual speed and accuracy when it comes to paperwork is low, resulting in typos in nearly every post or email I write - though you won't find one here, as AI and spellcheck have my back!
We are all uniquely gifted, and while a robot might assist with certain tasks, it can never replace the value of your human insight, creativity, and experience. Lean into your strengths, and let technology enhance your work.
Comments