Automation has seen human workers replaced by robots in various industries. But with the advent of artificial intelligence, jobs that were once thought to be safe are quickly losing that status.
The effects are already being felt, especially for those just getting started in their careers. However, there are certain jobs, which despite AI’s immense capabilities, should be safe from the technological revolution for the foreseeable future.
Jobs the robots can’t do just yet
Resume Now, a company that helps people with their resumes, produced a list of 13 careers that are not likely to be replaced by AI. Besides offering good pay and long-term stability, they only require a high school diploma. Albeit some of them do require some “level of relevant experience,” notes the online platform.
The jobs are divided into two types, those with a relatively low risk from AI and those with a moderate AI risk. The all pay at least $50,000 per year and are in growing fields that require high-demand skills based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Keith Spencer, a career expert at Resume Now, told USA TODAY that all of them have some similarities in that they require “significant human interaction.” As well as possibly “manual dexterity in unpredictable environments, or high levels of creativity.” They are as follows:
Jobs with low AI risk
| Career | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Aircraft cargo handling supervisors | $58,920 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $58,920 a year |
| Electricians | $61,590 a year |
| Flight attendants | $68,370 a year |
| Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists | $71,420 a year |
| Hearing aid specialists | $58,670 |
| Industrial machinery mechanics | $61,170 a year |
| Lodging managers | $65,360 a year |
| Personal service managers | $57,570 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $61,550 a year |
Jobs with moderate AI risk
| Career | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Maintenance workers, machinery | $61,170 a year |
| Insurance sales agents | $59,080 a year |
| Security and fire alarm systems installers | $56,430 a year |
One of the fields that for the time being hasn’t been hit by AI, according to research by a group of Stanford economists, is nursing. As a matter of fact, it is helping to make human workers more productive, by allowing them to dedicate more time to focus on patients.
Erik Brynjolfsson, lead author on the working paper, advised young people entering the workforce that they need to learn to use AI effectively in ways that adds value beyond what the machines can do and makes them more productive.