Do you believe that artificial intelligence (AI) is powerful and smart enough to take over the majority of jobs in the future? Should people start rethinking their career choices and choose jobs that are the least likely to become obsolete thanks to automation?
According to Sinovations Ventures’ Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, predicting the future of tech in China, robots are likely to replace 50 percent of all jobs in the next 10 years.
The influential technologist has 50 million followers on Chinese social networks. He recently told CNBC that AI is the wave of the future, calling it the “singular thing that will be larger than all of human tech revolutions added together, including electricity, [the] industrial revolution, internet, mobile internet — because AI is pervasive.”
“It is the decision engine that will replace people,” Lee added. “These are things that are superhuman, and we think this will be in every industry, will probably replace 50 percent of human jobs, and create a huge amount of wealth for mankind and wipe out poverty.”
Accountancy giant PwC recently revealed that its financials service jobs are most at risk of a robot takeover with a 61 percent of jobs to be replaced by machines. In a published report, their research showed that 4 in 10 jobs in the US were at risk of being replaced by robots and AI, predicting that 38% of US jobs would be replaced by robots by the early 2030s.
In fact, we’re already beginning to see the changes today. Automation, which includes both mechanized robots (whether humanoid or drone-shaped) and artificially intelligent software programs are already replacing the jobs in every sector.
Here are 9 jobs that are most at risk of being hit hard over the next 10 years by the AI wave:
1. Retail Salespeople
The shopping experience has changed dramatically in just the past decade. The modern buyer is more likely to step into a shop already knowing exactly what they want. They’ve done the research online and have come to buying decision on their own without the need of salesperson to assist them.
AI would change the shopping process by giving shoppers features that allow them to self-checkout, without ever needing a salesperson to follow them around the store or ring up their items for them.
2. Bookkeeping Clerks
Microsoft Office, FreshBooks, and QuickBooks are already being widely used to automate bookkeeping in many organizations. It’s much more cost-effective to invest in the software than it is to hire a full-time bookkeeper and keep them on the payroll as a permanent employee.
3. Proofreaders
Most industries still need to ensure that their spelling and grammar are correct before they send out their business emails, newsletters, or even their content for digital marketing. However AI and machine learning are an excellent fit for this task. Proofreading software such as Grammarly checks for spelling and grammar and even rates the level of your content’s originality. More is expected in the not too distant future.
4. Delivery Service and Couriers
Are you ready to have your pizza delivered by drone? In 2016, Domino’s completed the first ever pizza delivery via drone in New Zealand. With the dramatic increase in online shopping, this segment is ripe for disruption and automation. AI driven technologies must come to play and sustain our new life of shopping online
5. Receptionists
You’ve probably called an office and had an automated system direct you to the department you were trying to contact. Traditional receptionist roles are quickly being taken over by automation to a point where the need of a human receptionist may no longer be necessary at all.
6. Computer Support Specialists
Today, there is so much information available on the internet guiding everyday people how to troubleshoot with step-by-step guides. There are even YouTube videos revealing tips, secrets, and hacks. Because of this, companies can rely more on bots and AI to answer support questions from customers and employees.
7. Market Research Analysts
The development of messaging is critical in product marketing. Market research analysts need to compile the information they find online on their target prospects to develop customer personas and create strategies. However, AI is now capable of conducting this research and even send out surveys.
8. Telemarketers
Telemarketing conversions are dismal to begin with, leading many companies to rethink their marketing strategies. However, for those who have decided that telemarketing is necessary, automating the task seems to make more sense.
9. Advertising Salespeople
Advertising has been shifting more and more towards the web and social media platforms and away from TV and print. Buying ad space is no longer the primary focus, making the demand for people to negotiate traditional advertising terms less a priority.
AI and bots can now take the place of the salespeople because more social media platforms make buying space easier thanks to their free APIs and self-serve ad marketplaces.
There are still plenty of jobs out there that are predicted to be safe from being taken over by robots and AI. As you’ve guessed, they’re the ones that need an authentic human element such as non-cognitive and reasoning skills, creativity, compassion, originality, and leadership qualities.
What jobs do you think are safe from being taken over by robots and artificial intelligence?
Photographers will be replaced by A.I too.
AI should not forget human values.