Watch Out—AI Could Be Taking Your Job Next
With artificial intelligence (AI) making huge strides in recent years, the once-fantastical world of sci-fi is slowly becoming our new reality. And yet, exciting as it is, it poses understandable concerns: Will AI eventually replace human roles entirely? Most researchers agree that until artificial general intelligence (AGI, where AI matches the level of human intelligence) is achieved, we're safe. But the question isn't if AGI will happen, but when. What, then, does that mean for us, our jobs, and life as we know it?
1. Data Entry Clerks
If there's one thing AI is great for, it's processing large amounts of data almost instantaneously. And given the mundanity of scanning and entering data, it's a task that's easy to automate. In fact, data entry clerks have already been replaced, and the role will likely become completely AI-automated in just a few short years.
Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
2. Customer Service Representatives
With the emergence of AI chatbots on almost every website nowadays, the outlook for those working in customer service roles isn't great, either. After all, aside from complex tasks and questions that require a human to answer or solve manually, AI bots can do a bulk of the work already—and it's only a matter of time before they're programmed to handle more intricate actions.
3. Proofreaders
AI is already helping 90% of students with their schoolwork, whether for solving problems, researching sources, writing essays, or—yup—even cheating on exams. Asking an AI to proofread your papers, compared to all that, is nothing. With tools like Grammarly or ChatGPT, it's easy to have AI correct your errors without needing human eyes to scan through.
4. Editors
But AI tools don't stop at just becoming your new proofreader—they can edit entire documents, too. They may not yet have the capacity to understand nuances and contexts as accurately as human editors, but they're inching awfully close, and many may prefer AI to review their work purely out of convenience and cheaper costs.
5. Writers
The rapid progression of AI has seen students and professionals alike who use these tools to craft out any type of copy, from poems to marketing blurbs and even full-length manuscripts. And in a world that's becoming evermore reliant on AI, writer roles have already begun phasing out, because language models have proven their ability to generate content in a fraction of the time it takes for a human to pen out the same thing.
6. Cashiers
Think back to your last grocery trip. Did you go through a regular checkout, manned by a human cashier, or did you scan items yourself at a self-checkout? While some may still prefer human cashiers, others find it more convenient and intuitive to just do it themselves. Plus, people also rather shop online than in-store nowadays.
7. Graphic Designers
Just like writing, while AI can do a bulk of the work, it may still lack the creativity level needed to execute projects. But this isn't a hurdle that will take long for AI to jump over; with the way it's able to generate not only still artworks but also animations, human graphic designers will also likely soon be replaced.
Antoni Shkraba Studio on Pexels
8. Servers
Have you ever been served by a robot? Or had your order taken on an iPad? With these tasks being automated and handled by AI, there's a reduced demand for human servers to take on these roles. If you're a chef, however, your job is likely safe.
9. Telemarketers
Just like customer service roles, telemarketing is another field that AI may replace in the near future. Making unsolicited calls to sell services is something that can be—and has already been—replaced by robocall technology. And yet, the argument still stands that some aspects of telemarketing cannot be fully automated or handled by AI.
10. Drivers & Ride-Share Services
There's a reason to be excited about the emergence and progression of autonomous vehicles; for one, it could mean fewer serious and fatal accidents on the road. And as the technology becomes more fine-tuned and safe, it wouldn't be surprising if human drivers aren't needed behind the wheel in the future.
11. Programmers & Software Developers
With LLMs (large language models) being able to write code and software, there's a looming question: Will AI be able to fully replace programmers and software developers? The answer is complex, but it likely leans towards no. AI can certainly assist with coding, but the decisions and design choices needed in large projects still need human programmers to oversee and implement.
12. Bookkeepers & Accountants
AI will probably not be replacing bookkeepers and accountants any time soon—at least not yet, and not for roles that handle more complex tasks. What AI has smoothed out are boring, low-level tasks, like data entry and invoice processing. But one thing it won't replace is human intelligence, such as the ability to make sensible decisions, judgment, and strategies in higher-level roles.
13. Translators
If you've ever pasted a chunk of text or pointed your camera at a foreign menu, you've seen AI translation in action. And yet, it will likely take some time before AI fully replaces translators and interpreters. In fact, until it can understand the nuance, cultural and situational contexts, idioms, and everyday expressions of each unique language, human translators will still reign supreme.
14. Paralegals
If you've heard the horror stories of lawyers using fake cases generated by AI in court, you'll probably think it's best for this kind of technology to stay completely out of the legal field. But don't misunderstand: while AI can help augment the duties paralegals take on, it's unlikely to completely replace them. After all, legal support roles require complex critical-thinking skills and brainstorming creative strategies and solutions, along with the ability to build trust and relationships with clients—skills that are uniquely human. So, while AI has certainly changed the field—as it has for many others—it still has some ways to go.
15. Psychologists
Could AI replace your therapist? While some existing LLMs may be able to respond empathetically (such as Inflection's Pi AI), they still lack the one thing most people look for in a psychologist: one-on-one human connection. That doesn't mean that people don't still use AI for conversational means or as a bot they can vent to. Perhaps the real question is, as technology progresses further and therapy costs continue rising, will we feel like we have no choice but to turn to AI?
16. Journalists
If AI can replace writers, what risk does that pose for journalists? It's important to note that, while AI could certainly speed up the process and automate mundane, repetitive tasks, it's unlikely to completely take over traditional journalism, which often requires intensive research, investigative work, and interviewing multiple sources. Plus, retaining the human element is crucial to ensure published pieces are thoroughly fact-checked (and not just fabricated out of nothing by AI), and that, above all, the human voice shines through.
17. Bank Tellers
When was the last time you deposited money in person at a physical bank location? Or the last time you took out money that wasn't from the ATM? Chances are, unless you're dealing with a large sum, you're probably managing your finances just fine through online services, rendering bank teller roles obsolete.
18. Stock Traders
But it's not just bank tellers who have been booted out by AI, there has also been a lower demand for stock traders. In fact, over 90% of stock trading is run by AI algorithms, as these systems can quickly analyze market trends and make quick-wit decisions with surprising (or maybe not-so-surprising) accuracy. Yet, while this has certainly made the job easier, human traders could use AI to leverage their skills and transition into financial advising or consulting roles.
19. Healthcare Workers
It might sound eerie, but AI has already begun and likely will continue to play a significant role in the medical field. AI-powered diagnostic tools, for one, have been steadily implemented to better analyze and interpret imaging scans to give more accurate diagnoses, particularly in radiology. Medical robots can also assist surgeons during operations. While there are certainly still limitations, it's only a matter of time before AI further reshapes medicine. Don't be alarmed, however; AI might be here to stay, but it'll be in ways that are beneficial to healthcare professionals and patients alike.
20. Musicians
If you've heard of AI covers, you've heard how you can easily produce songs with AI that mimic another artist's voice. But that's not where it ends: songwriters could be at risk as well, along with singers. Of course, it will likely take some time before AI can completely replace human musicians (or even composers), but with incredible advancements in the technology, that future could be looming closer than expected.
