Which Jobs Will AI Replace?

There’s a give and take with AI job displacement.

Artificial intelligence is taking the working world by storm, and the early figures are staggering.
According to McKinsey, artificial intelligence should add $13 trillion to the global economy in the next several years, adding about 16% higher gross domestic product by 2030.

Yet there’s a downside to the AI revolution, triggering angst among career professionals – job displacement.

Data from Goldman Sachs shows 300 million full-time jobs “could be replaced” by AI. Almost two-thirds of jobs “are exposed to some degree of AI automation,” and around a quarter of all jobs could be performed entirely by AI, the report noted.

What jobs are most at peril from AI? That’s a good question. It’s essentially answered via new studies that track the arch of” lost jobs” due to artificial intelligence. One of the best studies comes from Nextford University.

The report, titled “How Will Artificial Intelligence Affect Jobs 2024-2030”, lists eight traditional jobs going the way of the dodo bird by the end of the decade.

Let’s take a closer look at the Nextford study and pinpoint what careers are at risk thanks to AI and what the study says about those jobs.

1) Customer service representatives

The Nextford report indicates the venerable (and often maligned) customer service representative job is already halfway out the door – and AI is accelerating that exit.

“Most human customer service interactions are no longer done by phone with human employees manning the lines,” the study noted. Most of the time, customers’ queries and problems are repetitive. Answering these queries does not require high emotional or social intelligence. Therefore, AI can be used to provide automated responses to frequently asked questions.

2) Receptionists

Office receptionists are another long-time occupation that technology has already eroded, especially in the age of rising remote work. Now, the receptionist position is in “last call” mode due to AI.

“The majority of companies worldwide are now using robots at their reception, the Nextford study reported. “Even the calls are being managed by AI now. For example, (virtual receptionist) AimeReception can see, listen, understand, and talk with guests and customers.”

3) Accountants

Adorned with green eye shades and an ever-ready number two pencil, the professional accountant and bookkeeper are being erased.

“Many companies are now using automation and AI for their bookkeeping practices,” the report stated. “AI-powered bookkeeping services provide an efficient accounting system and flexibility and security, considering that they are available as cloud-based services.”

4) Sales professionals

Sales is a surprising addition to the AI job displacement list, given the robust human influence immersed in the great office sales professional. AI won’t buy customers a three-martini lunch after a deal is closed, but it will take their seller’s jobs.

“Gone are the days when corporations required salespeople for advertising and retail activities,” Nextford analysts say. “Advertising has shifted towards web and social media landscapes. Social media’s built-in target marketing capabilities allow advertisers to create custom content for different audiences.”

5) Research and analysis

Somehow, data analysis doesn’t seem in danger of being taken over by AI, but here we are. According to the report, data analysis and research are areas “that already implement the use of artificial intelligence as a method of streamlining the process and identifying new data without human assistance.”

Since today’s computing processing power aids in the efficient sorting, extrapolation and analysis of data, AI should push that acceleration along, Nextford states. “As artificial intelligence continues to improve, there may not be a need for humans to play a role in data analysis and research,” the report states.

6) Warehouse work

The warehouse is being reshaped and revised as companies use technology to better process orders and load them into trucks for deliveries.

“One area of focus for streamlining the process has been the use of automation,” the report said “Basic automation and artificial implementation in a warehouse allow for easy access to computerized systems to locate packages and direct staff, and future AI may even perform mechanized retrieval and loading to increase shipping capacities.”

7) Insurance underwriting

The data revolution has already been introduced into the finance realm, and insurance is no different. It’s natural for numbers-crunching AI apps and tools these days.

“When making assessments on the viability of insurance applicants, the most important work is often analyzing the data available and applying it within a set of formulas or structures,” Nextford stated. “Automation can easily complete these tasks and is continually adapting to perform more complicated duties, which may reduce the number of underwriters a company requires.”

8) Retail clerks

Retailers have already heavily invested in self-checkout kiosks, especially grocery stores. Doing so saves retailers manpower and money, two “must haves” for any high-density, high-volume company in the retail trade.

That’s where AI makes a big difference – and takes jobs in the process.

The report noted that “when a company uses self-checkout areas, it results from a cost-benefit analysis. “Although allowing customers to scan their own items can increase the instances of theft, the company saves more money by reducing the need for employees to work registers.”