Rise of AI: Which jobs will flourish and which will die?

By Emre Basaran

ISTANBUL (AA) – Artificial intelligence has been all the talk for the past couple of years now, especially due to the unprecedented capabilities of generative AI models such as ChatGPT.

Dominating headlines all over the world, the large language model developed by US-based firm OpenAI also prompted a flashback to the 1980s and the rekindled the debate about whether robots would take over people’s jobs.

While the algorithm is sure to replace some jobs that are monotonous in nature, many professions are still expected to be safe and even likely to benefit from the wonders of generative and other AI technologies.

- Jobs at stake

While the human element is predicted to always be indispensable – at least until a fully sentient AI is realized – there are some jobs that are susceptible to replacement by AI tools.

That holds particularly true for jobs that are inherently routine, predictable and repetitive, including data entry, assembly line work, and even certain administrative tasks.

Driverless cabs and drone deliveries are already a reality in some parts of the world, so transportation and delivery jobs are also expected to take a hit from the rise of AI.

Truck drivers, taxi drivers and other delivery personnel are predicted to decrease in numbers as automated transportation systems have the potential to replace human operations in the future.

Even though automated customer service is currently far from being the favored model, mainly due to their rather primitive capabilities, AI and machine learning algorithms are developing day by day and are expected to decrease the number of people working in call centers.

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are already coming in handy in some sectors, and as they get more sophisticated by the day, they are poised to replace at least some of the workforce in the field.

Another line of work that feels the AI pressure is certainly manufacturing and production, which has already seen layoffs due to ever-advancing automation and robotics technologies.

As AI gets better every day thanks to machine learning and advances are made in robotics, more streamlined manufacturing processes are on the horizon, leaving assembly line workers and manual laborers in industries like automotive manufacturing susceptible.

Data analysis and interpretation jobs are also expected to be affected by AI algorithms as they become more and more capable in handling large volumes of data and deriving insights.

While AI has been used in Big Data management for years now, it has been on a course of further advancement and is predicted to impact professions focusing on data analysis.

Market research analysts, financial analysts, and even legal researchers are expected to decrease in numbers.

Cashiers are also being gradually phased out all over the world due to self-checkout kiosks installed in supermarkets. Amazon has also opened cashier-less supermarkets called “Amazon Go” in the US, an indication of what the future holds for retail.

Accounting is yet another job that is threatened by AI as even simple algorithms can perform well in the field.

Proofreaders are also feeling similar heat. Many proofreading tools are already in use and freely available, and as AI gets more sophisticated through machine learning, so will proofreading tools, resulting in a decreased workforce in the field.

- Jobs to benefit from AI

Even though AI is predicted to decrease a lot of workforces from many sectors, there are many jobs which are not threatened by AI – and are expected to benefit from its capabilities.

Chief executives are expected to be somewhat immune from AI’s effects as their jobs require leadership and personal connections, which machines do not have the necessary level of sentience to do – at least for now.

Even though some of the routine stuff can be offloaded to AI, journalists, writers and editors are expected to benefit from AI as their jobs require human perspective, in-depth research and flair.

Original content is already being favored by Google algorithms and there are tools being used to detect and debuff AI-written pieces so that original content stays on top of search results.

With the rise of AI-based image creation tools such as Midjourney, the importance of authentic and genuine art has also come under the spotlight.

Graphic designers, painters and artists are expected to be immune to AI’s effects – and their work is even more highly regarded nowadays as social media is flooded by unoriginal AI-produced imagery, resulting in better acknowledgement of true art.

Psychiatrists and psychologists, on the other hand, are arguably the most immune to AI.

Even though some AI-based assistants claim to offer some help to people suffering from mental distress, no machine can replace a sentient human being.

Computer scientists, albeit ironically, are also predicted to be immune from the rise of AI as they are the ones that will develop the technology even further – and therefore they will be the ones who will always be one step ahead.

Lawyers are also expected to not take a hit from AI as courts of law will continue to require their presence in trials – and considering their ability to persuade judges by interpreting laws in their favor, it is safe to say that they are here to stay for years to come.

Judges, who decide on the fate of humans, will also be immune from the effects of AI as such important decisions are too risky to leave at the grace of a non-sentient machine.

Musicians, film directors, performance artists and other people engaged in many forms of art are also immune from the rise of AI, as the human element in their professions will remain indispensable.

Health workers such as doctors and nurses are also expected to be immune from the effects of AI as their jobs require human judgment, ethical considerations and empathy.

Their jobs are also expected to benefit from advanced technologies, and the da Vinci Surgical System, which uses a minimally invasive surgical approach, is a testament to this progress.

Athletes, whose profession is based on physical competition and sportsmanship, can also benefit from AI and their jobs are not threatened by it.

Advanced technologies to study athletes’ stamina and performance are already in use, and athletes are expected to flourish even more thanks to the ever-advancing skills of AI.