New research reveals which careers are most and least vulnerable to artificial intelligence replacement

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1

I found a fascinating study from Microsoft discussing the impact of AI on various jobs. The research is titled “Working with AI: Measuring the Occupational Implications of Generative AI” and it categorizes occupations based on their likelihood of being replaced by artificial intelligence.

Highest risk jobs for AI replacement:
Advertising Sales Agents, Archivists, Broadcast Announcers and Radio DJs, Brokerage Clerks, Business Teachers (Postsecondary), CNC Tool Programmers, Concierges, Counter and Rental Clerks, Customer Service Representatives, Data Scientists, Demonstrators and Product Promoters, Economics Teachers (Postsecondary), Editors, Farm and Home Management Educators, Geographers, Historians, Hosts and Hostesses, Interpreters and Translators, Library Science Teachers (Postsecondary), Management Analysts, Market Research Analysts, Mathematicians, Models, New Accounts Clerks, News Analysts/Reporters/Journalists, Passenger Attendants, Personal Financial Advisors, Political Scientists, Proofreaders and Copy Markers, Public Relations Specialists, Public Safety Telecommunicators, Sales Representatives of Services, Statistical Assistants, Switchboard Operators, Technical Writers, Telemarketers, Telephone Operators, Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks, Web Developers, Writers and Authors.

Lowest risk jobs for AI replacement:
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers, Bridge and Lock Tenders, Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers, Dishwashers, Dredge Operators, Embalmers, Floor Sanders and Finishers, Foundry Mold and Coremakers, Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators, Hazardous Materials Removal Workers, Various Helper positions (Painters, Production Workers, Roofers), Highway Maintenance Workers, Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators, Logging Equipment Operators, Machine Feeders and Offbearers, Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners, Massage Therapists, Medical Equipment Preparers, Motorboat Operators, Nursing Assistants, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Orderlies, Packaging and Filling Machine operators, Paving Equipment operators, Phlebotomists, Pile Driver Operators, Plant and System Operators, Prosthodontists, Rail-Track Equipment Operators, Roofers, Oil and Gas workers, Ship Engineers, Firefighter Supervisors, Surgical Assistants, Tire Builders, Tire Repairers and Changers, Water Treatment Plant Operators.

What do you think about these findings? Does your job appear on either list?

2

This list has some weird contradictions that make me doubt their methodology. Data Scientists are marked high risk? That’s backwards - they’re literally the ones building AI systems. I work in tech adjacent roles and yeah, AI handles some data processing, but the strategic thinking and domain knowledge for real data science work is still very human. Seems like this research focused too much on “processes information = AI can replace it” without considering how much human judgment these jobs actually need. What gets me is all the creative and analytical roles marked as vulnerable. These jobs require contextual understanding and stakeholder management - stuff current AI really struggles with.

3

Honestly surprised massage therapists made the safe list while writers didn’t. How’s hands-on physical work safer than creative stuff? My cousin does copywriting and already uses ChatGPT for drafts, but she still edits everything herself. Surgeons being safe makes sense though. Looks like they based rankings on current AI abilities instead of thinking 5-10 years ahead.