Most jobs AI will replace rely heavily on digital data and routine operations. Examples of such roles include scheduling coordinator, payroll clerk, and route planner. While AI, automation, and robots will likely affect most, if not all, jobs, such positions are most likely to be fully automated due to their standardized, predictable nature.
In this article, we’ll explore what jobs AI will replace in the next few years or decades and share practical insights to help you future-proof your career.
Key Takeaways
AI is changing the job market by augmenting or automating tasks, the latter of which can make some jobs obsolete.
Jobs involving digital data, repetitive tasks, minimal social interaction, and little to no ethical reasoning are most likely to be replaced by AI.
Some examples of jobs AI will replace in the next decades include data entry clerk, call center agent, cashier, route planner, and bookkeeper.
Creativity, leadership, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and critical thinking are essential skills that can help you remain competitive in the age of AI.
Networking, developing AI skills, and optimizing your resume for ATS would be key to a successful job hunt in an AI-driven job market.
How AI Is Changing the Job Market
AI is changing the job market primarily through automation and augmentation. The former replaces human labor by automating repetitive processes and tasks. For instance, a travel agency may use agentic AI and “employ” chatbots to automate customer service. They may either use narrow AI or generative AI to handle customers’ requests.
Narrow AI, such as chatbots with predefined responses, is designed to perform specific tasks quickly and precisely. Generative AI, on the other hand, is more advanced; it can generate natural responses based on learned patterns, tailoring them to customers’ queries. This type of AI can also create images, code, and other content.
However, not all use of AI makes workers obsolete. Augmentation is another approach. Instead of eliminating human labor, it enhances workers’ capabilities, increasing productivity, and typically involves generative AI.
For instance, a marketing specialist may use it to generate content ideas, draft social media posts, summarize market research, or adapt content for different platforms. In this case, AI simply speeds up their workflow, but it doesn’t eliminate their role.
In the United States, the industries most affected by AI so far are marketing, technology, and consulting. In 2023, 37% of marketing or advertising professionals used AI at work, and this percentage continues to rise as the future-of-work trends become inseparable from AI-powered tools.
So, what jobs AI won’t replace, you ask? Examples include jobs in education, healthcare, trades, and the legal field, such as teachers, dentists, carpenters, and lawyers. In other words, AI most likely will not replace jobs that rely on human connection, manual labor, and ethical judgment.
5 Factors That Make a Job More Likely to Be Replaced by AI
The main factors that make a job more likely to be replaced by AI are a predictable environment, repetitiveness, limited social interaction, minimal ethical reasoning, and digital data. If you’re wondering, “Will AI take my job?” you should evaluate how many of these characteristics apply to your daily tasks; the automation risk increases with each element.
Let’s examine each factor that puts jobs at risk from AI:
Digital data. Jobs performed on a computer, rather than requiring physical or interpersonal labor, are most susceptible to automation. This is because AI can easily process, analyze, sort, and generate digital data, be it in the form of text (e.g., emails or reports), images (for instance, illustrations), or numbers (spreadsheets, codes, etc.).
Repetitiveness. Machines can easily learn to replicate repetitive tasks because they can consistently follow the same steps every time and excel at pattern recognition. Therefore, jobs most likely to be replaced by AI are those that involve routine tasks with little variation.
Predictable environment. AI flourishes in controlled, structured environments. For this reason, it is more likely to replace jobs with standardized, rather than dynamic, workflows. After all, it offers consistency rather than adaptability.
Limited social interaction. While AI can handle some tasks requiring social interaction, such as answering common questions, it cannot replace those that require empathy, trust, persuasion, or conflict resolution. So, the less your job depends on human relations and emotional communication, the easier it is to automate.
Minimal ethical reasoning. A study by Harshe et al. on the use of AI in medical ethics decision-making reveals that AI cannot consistently replicate human cognitive flexibility when handling novel ethical cases. Therefore, it is more likely to replace jobs that require little to no ethical reasoning and decision-making.
18 Jobs Most Likely to Be Replaced by AI
Without further ado, let’s discuss what jobs AI will replace in the next 5 to 50 years:
#1. Administrative and Office Support Roles
Administrative and office support roles usually involve tasks that are highly repetitive and structured, meaning AI can easily automate them.
Here are some examples of jobs AI will likely replace during the upcoming period that belong to this category:
File clerk. Given that AI can effectively store, organize, maintain, and retrieve digital files, this role may become obsolete in organizations solely relying on digital document management systems.
Data entry clerk. These professionals enter and update data into computer systems or databases, which AI can easily do.
Scheduling coordinator. AI scheduling assistants are likely to soon replace humans, as they’re capable of automatically coordinating calendars and setting or rescheduling meetings.
#2. Customer Service and Call Center Jobs
Customer service jobs can be easily automated because they rely heavily on standardized responses to predictable questions.
If you’re wondering what jobs AI will replace in this field, check out this list:
Call center agent. AI voice systems can easily replace these professionals, as they’re capable of providing accurate answers 24/7.
Tier 1 technical support. Tier 1 tech support handles basic technical or semi-technical customer issues and troubleshooting, which can be done automatically with AI tools.
Live chat support agent. Companies are increasingly using AI chatbots to answer customer queries and resolve common issues, only escalating complex cases to human agents.
#3. Retail Roles
Although many retail roles involve social interaction, they rely on predictable workflows and routine transactions, which makes them susceptible to automation.
Below are some jobs that will likely be replaced by AI in the near future:
Cashier. Self-checkout kiosks are already being used in many stores worldwide, allowing customers to pay for items without a cashier ringing them up.
Warehouse packer. Automatic picking systems minimize the need for manual labor while reducing errors, and AI-driven robots are increasingly used to store, retrieve, and transport warehouse goods.
Inventory control specialist. These professionals can be replaced by AI inventory management solutions to accurately forecast demand, reduce waste, and optimize stock replenishment.
#4. Transportation and Delivery Roles
Although autonomous vehicles aren’t a common sight on the roads yet, transportation and delivery roles are becoming increasingly automated due to their structured, predictable nature.
Here’s what jobs AI will replace in this field in the next 50 years:
Truck driver. Given the advancements in driverless technology, it’s likely that self-driving trucks will eventually replace human truck drivers.
Route planner. AI tools are already being used in logistics to calculate the most efficient routes, adjust schedules, and optimize routes in real time.
Delivery driver. AI robots or even drones will almost certainly replace delivery drivers in the next few decades.
#5. Basic Content and Marketing Roles
Generative AI can (and, in many companies, already has) augmented or automated basic marketing tasks in many companies.
Below are some examples of marketing roles most affected by AI:
Junior copywriter. AI will likely replace basic copywriting that relies on standardized structures, such as writing product descriptions or promotional emails. Instead of writing content from scratch, human copywriters might remain primarily responsible for editing AI-generated content.
Localization translator. Although AI translation tools often miss cultural nuances, they can handle basic translation of marketing materials, instantly localizing content across multiple languages and regions.
Digital marketing assistant. AI-powered tools can generate ad copy, schedule posts, summarize market research findings, analyze ad performance, and handle other routine marketing tasks.
#6. Finance Roles
While finance roles that require strategic planning, complex decision-making, and ethical judgment aren’t likely to be replaced by AI, automation may affect positions that involve routine, data-heavy tasks.
So, what jobs will AI replace in finance? Here are a few examples:
Bank teller. AI and robots will likely replace at least some bank tellers, as they can already perform most of their duties, from processing withdrawals and deposits to updating account information.
Bookkeeper. Invoicing, recording and maintaining financial transactions, as well as many other administrative bookkeeping tasks can be easily automated with the use of AI.
Payroll clerk. These professionals follow standardized procedures to carry out payroll procedures, such as calculating pay, updating payroll records, and verifying timesheets, all of which AI can automate.
Since you now know what jobs AI will replace in the upcoming decades, it’s time to discuss the skills that can help you stay employable in an AI-driven job market.
5 Critical Skills That Will Matter Most in the Age of AI
The five critical skills that will matter most in the age of AI are creativity, leadership, adaptability, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
While AI-focused skills, such as AI literacy, can help you work effectively alongside evolving technologies, these soft skills cannot be replaced or replicated by machines. As such, they can help you ensure you remain irreplaceable in an AI-driven job market.
Let’s discuss them in greater detail:
Creativity. Creative thinking is a fundamentally human skill. Although AI can generate suggestions, it fails to replicate the imagination, innovation, and creative thought process of humans. Therefore, it can’t generate original ideas and breakthrough solutions, which makes creativity an indispensable trait.
Leadership. While AI can analyze data and optimize processes, it can’t guide teams and make strategic decisions. Because of this, leadership skills, such as effective communication, strategic decision-making, and conflict management, can help you stay competitive in the age of AI.
Adaptability. Adaptability is essential in a rapidly changing job market. Flexibility and dedication to continuous learning can help you pick up new tools and adjust to an evolving work environment, ensuring long-term employability.
Critical thinking. Critical thinking supports informed decision-making and effective problem-solving that AI can’t fully replicate by enabling you to objectively evaluate information and find practical solutions to complex problems.
Emotional intelligence (EI). Emotional intelligence is a uniquely human capability, as AI simply can’t empathize or respond to emotions authentically. EI is crucial in leadership and teamwork because it helps navigate conflict, build trust, and foster collaboration.
How to Job Hunt in an AI-Driven Job Market
The key to an effective job hunt in an AI-driven job market lies in developing AI skills, highlighting real results from your previous roles, and creating an ATS-friendly resume. Networking and emphasizing hybrid skills when writing a resume can also significantly increase your chances of getting hired.
Let’s explore these tips in greater depth:
Develop AI skills. Becoming familiar with industry-specific AI tools can help you stand out from your competition. It shows that you’re tech-savvy and adaptable, showing recruiters that you’re capable of working with technological advancements instead of letting them replace you.
Leverage networking. Attending industry events or networking on LinkedIn can help you build connections, uncover new professional opportunities, gain referrals, and, ultimately, land your dream job. Plus, networking allows you to showcase your communication skills, which AI simply can’t replace.
Highlight achievements. Whether you’re building a resume or attending a job interview, it’s crucial that you emphasize the results you’ve achieved in your previous roles. Use numbers and clear examples to highlight how you can contribute to the company and set yourself apart from other candidates.
Emphasize hybrid skills. Hybrid skills, such as data analysis and storytelling, merge technical expertise with human-centric abilities, allowing you to present yourself as a well-rounded candidate. As such, your job application should showcase both soft and hard skills.
Create an ATS-friendly resume. Today, most recruiters employ applicant tracking systems (ATS) to streamline the hiring process. Using clear formatting, tailoring your resume to the job description, and saving it as a .pdf file (unless instructed otherwise) can help ensure your application reaches the recruiter.
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Now that you know what jobs AI will replace in the next 5, 10, or even 50 years, we hope you feel more confident in navigating the ever-evolving job market.
If there’s one thing you should keep in mind, though, it’s that AI isn’t necessarily a threat to your professional development; it can also create new job opportunities, such as roles in AI ethics or management. Developing both technical and interpersonal skills can help you stay competitive and capitalize on these advancements.
What Jobs Will AI Replace FAQs
#1. What jobs are safest from AI?
Jobs that are safest from AI require uniquely human abilities, such as empathy, creative problem-solving, emotional intelligence, ethical judgment, and physical labor. For this reason, counselors, plumbers, police officers, judges, and similar professionals can rest assured that AI won’t replace their jobs.
#2. How soon will AI replace jobs?
It’s difficult to predict how soon AI will replace jobs because it depends on individual factors, such as the industry. According to the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report, businesses are introducing automation at a slower pace than anticipated. Still, more than 75% of companies surveyed are looking to adopt AI or other technologies by 2028.
#3. Should I change careers because of AI?
Whether you should change careers because of AI or not depends on your role. You might want to consider switching to a different field if your job is at high risk from AI. Otherwise, it may be a good idea to refine your skill set to ensure you remain competitive and up-to-date with technological advancements in your field.
