AI replacement: What jobs will be targeted?

The rise of technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), has prompted fears of replacement. With each year bringing new tech with increased capabilities, the “AI anxiety” felt by many workers is only natural.

There are studies that have shown which fields will be hit harder by this evolution. According to Charles Darwin University Associate Professor Niusha Shafi Abady, administrative roles will be the first to go.

“The types of jobs that will be impacted relatively fast are jobs that require following pre-existing instructions and don’t need analytical thinking skills such as clerical or secretarial roles and administrative roles,” said Professor Shafi Abady.

“The World Economic Forum’s report on the future job market predicts ‘26 million fewer jobs by 2027 in record-keeping and administrative roles, including cashiers and ticket clerks; data entry, accounting, bookkeeping and payroll clerks; and administrative and executive secretaries’.”

Unfortunately, for those in the Eastern part of the world, jobs will disappear faster than in the West. This is reportedly due to how work is conducted, making it easier for AI to replace positions.

“It is likely that AI displaces more jobs in the East compared to the West due to the numbers and the nature of the jobs. People shouldn’t be scared that AI takes their jobs. Instead, they should focus on acquiring analytical and critical thinking skills which are safe irrespective of AI systems,” said Professor Shafi Abady.

This sentiment of embracing AI rather than fearing it has been promoted by many organisations as doubt persists. The United Nations is one such group that claimed that AI is “more likely to be complemented rather than substituted”.

Professor Shafi Abady continued: “If we want to move along the emerging technology like AI, we should equip ourselves with problem-solving and analytical-thinking skills. Simple, repetitive tasks like answering the phone or scheduling appointments will be displaced by AI relatively quickly.”

“Jobs that require analytical-thinking skills specially related to AI, big data and cyber security as well as leadership and social influence, problem-solving and creative-thinking skills are among the talents that will be required in the future.”

It’s up to employers to ease the stress of workers. While fear of the unknown is inevitable, understanding the opportunities AI can bring should be of focus, not whether jobs are on the line.

While many jobs will be eliminated by the AI revolution, so too will more be created as the need for tech positions increases.

What has been dubbed “AI anxiety” is often misguided, as discussed previously by HR Leader.

Jack Campbell

Jack is the editor at HR Leader.