There is every possibility that a whopping 800 million people could easily lose their jobs to automation, with some career paths becoming close to extinction. But the jobs that will remain are those that require compassion, communication and creativity.
There has been a lot of speculation about the upcoming machine apocalypse. In fact, the perils of artificial super-intelligence cannot be underrated. In the coming decade, it is estimated that a whopping 800 million people will lose their jobs to automation. Machines have been proven to undertake repetitive tasks with a much higher degree of precision and efficiency, and estimates suggest that at least 1/3rd of the existing job roles across industries could be easily automated.
This is a wakeup call for professionals worldwide, who need to do all they can to future-proof their careers! Some jobs that are unlikely to exist in 2030 include Travel Agents, Bank Tellers, Postal Couriers, Sports Referees and even Taxi drivers among many others! So, if you do not wish to find yourself replaced by a machine, think long and hard before you pick your career path. We have put together some suggestions that you may want to consider.
Healthcare Professionals
The healthcare sector continues to grow and jobs in areas such as aged care will always be on the rise. Data from the online portal, Indeed, suggests that in countries like the USA, Australia, UK and Germany, at least 47% of nursing vacancies are hard to fill due to shortage of skilled workers. Healthcare professionals need qualities of compassion, social as well as communication skills and dedication. These are not easily replaced by machines.
Early Childhood Educator
While higher education could well be replaced by learning portals somewhere down the line, primary education requires a tender loving touch; something that machines are, as yet, incapable of! Education is an interactive process and teachers must be able to identify the personal uniqueness of each child in order to bring out the best of their capabilities. The task of shaping young minds requires social perceptiveness and real caring.
Creative Artists and Performers
Artificial intelligence cannot easily replace creativity and passion. It does not even come close to the right-brained ingenuity of human beings. So, it’s safe to say that creative jobs such as those of writers, dancers, actors, painters, musicians and sculptors are not likely to be replaced by automation. Machines cannot think out of the box and come up with creative solutions. They can only draw upon something that has already been done before.
Designers
Designers use their own life experiences, emotions and ingenuity to find solutions to everyday problems. They need to have high levels of communication and empathy in order to understand all facets of a situation and create a design based on specific needs. Machines cannot create the levels of engagement and passion that are required to produce a unique design, whether it may be in the field of graphics, product design, interiors or architecture.
Social Workers and Therapists
People who are involved in healing the mind are also likely to be untouched by the surge in automated jobs. Real human interaction is needed to give emotional support and guidance. So, social workers, therapists and counsellors need the ability to listen, understand and empathize. Increasing levels of stress and pollution have caused a rise in mental health disorders and with holistic wellness being a prime concern today, this is a career that is never going out of demand.
Dentists
Most of us are traumatized at the thought of going to a dentist; and for that very reason we are not likely to want to get a root canal from a machine! Dentists need to have a gentle touch and a way of putting patients at ease which a robotic dentist is unlikely to show up in the near future.
Experts feel that regardless of the surge in automation and machine learning capabilities, any job description that involves an emotional connect and critical thinking capabilities is less likely to be replaced in the near future!