Artificial Intelligence Poses Threat to These 10 Professions According to Microsoft, Yet Experts Suggest No Immediate Cause for Concern
In a recent study by Microsoft, the tech giant predicts a mixed picture for the future of work across various industries. While communication-heavy roles such as writing, interpreting, and customer service are most at risk, jobs relying on physical, specialized manual tasks remain relatively AI-resistant.
AI applicability and automation remain very limited in roles such as dredge operators, bridge and lock tenders, water treatment plant and system operators, foundry mold and coremakers, rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators, pile driver operators, floor sanders and finishers, orderlies, motorboat operators, logging equipment operators, and many more. These roles require manual skills, physical presence, or complex environment interaction that AI and generative models cannot easily replicate or substitute.
Microsoft's analysis of AI's impact on jobs found these occupations scoring near zero in "AI applicability," indicating minimal current use and success of generative AI tools in these roles. Many healthcare and blue-collar positions fall into this category.
However, it is important to note that this assessment focuses on AI, especially generative language models, and does not fully consider other automation forms like robotics. Future AI advances or broader technology adoption could shift risk profiles.
In customer service roles, human representatives are still necessary to manage nuanced and high-stakes interactions where context and judgment are critical. This is a trend echoed by companies like Klarna, a buy now, pay later giant, which initially planned to use AI to handle customer service queries but later decided to slow down job cuts and rehire human customer service representatives.
The study also outlines jobs at highest risk of being upended by AI, including interpreters and translators, historians, customer service representatives, writers and authors, and sales representatives. However, it suggests that while AI may impact certain jobs, historical trends show that technological advances often lead to the emergence of new roles.
Smart leaders are anticipating how work will change, redesigning jobs, reskilling teams, and using AI to amplify human performance rather than replace it. AI will create a range of new jobs that were previously not thought about, and those who will find it hardest to get a job in this new era will be those who are not willing to embrace AI as a tool.
Preparation for the future is crucial, particularly for roles most exposed to AI. Steve Kelly, VP at Orgvue, emphasizes the importance of this preparation at both an individual and enterprise level. Analysis from Orgvue found that 39% of UK business leaders cut staff as a result of AI adoption last year, but more than half (55%) later came to regret the move and are facing acute skills challenges.
Caroline Carruthers, CEO of UK-based data consultancy Carruthers and Jackson, believes that AI will transform the jobs market, but not necessarily make it harder to get a job. AI will require a new set of skills, but it will also create opportunities for those who are willing to adapt.
The study is based on 200,000 anonymous conversations with the Bing Copilot chatbot between January and September 2024. As we move forward, it is essential for individuals and businesses to stay informed about AI's impact on the jobs market and to prepare for the changes that lie ahead.
Cybersecurity roles in the business and finance sectors may not be significantly impacted by AI automation, as these roles require complex environment interaction and judgment calls that AI models struggle to replicate. Conversely, education and self-development may see new opportunities emerge as AI advances may lead to the creation of jobs that were previously not thought about, particularly in areas where human judgment and adaptability are crucial.
