Study shows what jobs are most at risk as AI enters the workplace

As AI technology advances, some fields are poised to thrive while other could be left behind.

A new study from Microsoft shows what jobs are most at risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence.

The research study shows which jobs are most impacted and those that can be assisted by AI and includes a list of jobs the technology cannot replace.

AI isn’t part of the recipe at the East Coast Bakery in Halifax, where bagels were flying off the shelves Thursday.

“There’s not robots kneading the dough here,” said Gerry Lonergan, the owner of East Coast Bakery on Halifax’s Quinpool Road.

“Artificial intelligence is clearly going to take over some creative aspects,” he said. “And maybe I can get it to do my nutritional information or streamline some recipes. But as far as the actual labour goes? Until the Tesla robots show up, I think we’re pretty safe.”

There’s a human touch to every pastry and bun says Lonergan, a craft no machine can replicate.

“Everything we do here is nice and manual. It’s all homemade and fresh — and you can’t find a computer that replaces the kind of love that goes into making a product like this.”

Digital anthropologist Giles Crouch says the AI conversation is shifting job losses to assistance and enhancement. He says he uses AI tools every day but they don’t replace his own writing.

“I never use it to actually write,” said Crouch. “But I use it to help me think and with anthropology there is so much knowledge and so I ask it questions. We have a conversation type of thing and that helps me create content and write.”

Microsoft’s new report lists 40 jobs that rely on writing, language and routine tasks where AI is more transferable, including:

• historians
• writers and authors
• customer service reps
• broadcast announcers and DJs

The report also lists 40 jobs that require a person’s presence where AI is less compatible, including:

• Nurses
• Long-Haul Truck Drivers
• Roofers and Labourers
• Maids and Housekeepers
• Massage Therapists

AI has already replaced some jobs and will likely replace others but Crouch says the sky isn’t falling.

“The conversation has gone from this fear of massive job loss to; How can we get real benefit from these tools? How will it (AI) make our work better?”