What Jobs Are Safe From AI… For Now… Maybe?

We asked an AI what jobs would be safe from AI in the near future? It confidently listed professions like nurses, creative artists, and other seemingly irreplaceable roles. But I think it’s lying, or at just telling me what I want to hear. So here we ask an AI and a human for their best guess on what roles, if any, are safe… for now… maybe?

As a seasoned crypto investor and observer of technological trends, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly the landscape can change. While I agree that certain professions may seem safe from AI automation based on their creative or emotional intelligence components, I remain skeptical. The rapid advancements in AI and machine learning are making it increasingly difficult to predict which jobs will be automated next.

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Can we ponder over whether crypto trading is an art form, given that approximately 80% of cryptocurrency transactions are automated through bots? The human ability to be creative, innovative, and think outside the box sets us apart from artificial intelligence. Occupations such as artists, writers, musicians, and designers thrive on unique inspiration that current AI systems cannot replicate. Additionally, the emotional depth and cultural significance that human creators add to their work are elements that AI has yet to master, ensuring these roles remain largely untouched by automation.

As a researcher, I’ve come to acknowledge that the tide has turned in favor of artificial intelligence (AI). Having penned a successful song once, I can attest to the power of human creativity. However, my experience is now overshadowed by AI’s increasingly impressive capabilities.

These are just things I have seen myself in the last week or so. And I’m not even looking that hard. The reality is that the vast majority of ‘creative’ work is repetitious and derivative. It’s provided a living for mediocre talents like me for my whole life, but it’s ending sooner than you think.

The AI says “creativity, innovation, and original thinking” can’t be replicated by AIs. But really, it doesn’t have to be. Most movies, TV shows and music today aren’t creative, innovative or original. Humanity only produces a few Da Vincis, Spielbergs and Bowies in any generation. Most photographers, illustrators, musicians, video editors and music producers will be out of a job in short order. Human verdict: 90% of creative jobs aren’t safe for long.

In the realm of employment, positions that heavily rely on emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills constitute an area where the human element holds significant sway. Professionals such as therapists, counselors, and social workers deal with intricate human emotions and relationships, which call for a level of sensitivity and compassionate responses that currently surpasses the capabilities of artificial intelligence.

For an extended period, I attended therapy sessions regularly, which came with a significant financial investment. During these sessions, my therapist would frequently inquire about my emotions using questions such as “What are your feelings about that?” or “How did you feel during that situation?”. I’ve also visited a nursing home and observed my mother’s interaction with the overworked human caregivers. In retrospect, I believe a robot companion would have provided her with more compassionate care than the underpaid workers she encountered daily. Can you relate to this scenario with your own experiences?

As an analyst, I acknowledge the validity of your perspective. In certain scenarios, such as a social worker conducting a home visit to assess child safety, the human touch and intuition are essential. However, there’s a growing trend towards automation in sectors like companionship in nursing homes or therapy services. It’s only a matter of time before robots become more prevalent in these areas, providing assistance sooner rather than later.

Complex Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Jobs

Ha! We agree at last. Why? My other day job is a lawyer. There’s so much complexity involved in helping people with their legal problems – particularly if it’s a gnarly case. Most people don’t know where to start, and don’t know how to describe their predicament. There’s always a mix of emotions which have to be ‘heard’ and then filtered for relevance as all avenues for resolution are considered and presented. And at the same time, the opposition is doing exactly the same thing.

As a crypto investor, I understand that when it comes to presenting a case in court involving performance aspects and compelling storytelling, it’s an intricate process that requires human intuition and creativity. While there might be automated solutions for other roles mentioned, I personally find it challenging to imagine this task being handled by a robot at present.

As a crypto investor and legal professional, I’ve noticed a significant shift in the way we approach legal work. Instead of relying heavily on human support staff, I now utilize AI technology extensively. For instance, I draft the initial response to a client’s query, then ask the AI to refine it for a more formal and lawyerly tone. The outcomes are truly impressive! Additionally, when I recall a specific case or precedent vaguely, I simply ask the AI to retrieve it for me in a matter of seconds. This was once a time-consuming task that required legions of researchers and assistants. However, with the advent of AI technology, these jobs may become obsolete in my view.

Skilled Trades and Manual Labor

Although the AI boasts advancements in automating certain labor-intensive jobs, trades such as plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry still require a unique combination of deftness, quick thinking, and flexibility that current AI technology cannot fully grasp. Tradespeople, including plumbers, electricians, and carpenters, execute tasks requiring precise motor skills and instant problem-solving in diverse settings—abilities that AI systems struggle to mimic effectively.

Affirmative, affirmative, affirmative. Similar to the family social worker instance presented earlier, these individuals possess roles necessitating in-person attendance and the application of tangible skills to resolve issues. In my household last month, water from an upstairs shower mysteriously began pouring into a living room light fixture downstairs. Quite alarming! Upon examination, we discovered it had been leaking for quite some time. The solution involved a plumber, builder, plasterer, tiler, and waste removal service to dispose of the defective shower and the deteriorated timber. Artificial Intelligence lacks the capability to execute any of those tasks. Conclusion – these professions remain secure for the foreseeable future.

Emerging and Niche Professions

In the 1700s and the early 1800s, the majority of people spent most of their day engaged in agriculture. Essentially just trying to get enough food together to feed themselves, their families and maybe their communities. Today’s office worker is a modern day plow horse. Over time their roles will be retired, but new frontiers will emerge, creating demand for specialized skills and roles that AI has not yet infiltrated and may never do so.

Moreover, these new roles will require human oversight to guide the integration of complex systems into societal frameworks, underscoring the importance of human judgment in these fields.

The future of work will be shaped by a synergy of human ingenuity and technological innovation. Adaptability, continuous learning, and a focus on honing uniquely human skills will be pivotal in navigating the evolving job market landscape and staying ahead of the curve. Furthermore, the rise of AI technologies has the potential to create new job opportunities through increased productivity and economic output, offering a more optimistic view of AI’s impact on the job market. Well, that’s what the AI told me anyway, but if it doesn’t work out that way – to paraphrase The Simpson’s Kent Brockman  “I for one welcome our new robot overlords.”