Paralegals are legal professionals who assist lawyers with cases. Much of their work is administrative, but they may also gather facts, interview clients and witnesses, and put together information as well as make suggestions to the lawyer for whom they work. While it may seem like paralegals are invaluable jacks of all trades, a report from Goldman Sachs suggests they could one day be replaced by AI. Because the information, language, and data paralegals work with are pretty specific, it would be simple for AI to generate the same types of outcomes.
Lawyers can already purchase AI legal assistant software. But if you're a paralegal or thinking about coming one, don't give up yet. Many people in the industry believe the job still requires a human touch for some of the more subjective parts of the job. The AI aspect of it may even be of assistance to paralegals so they do a more thorough job on their work.
Accountants aren't the only professionals in the finance industry at risk of losing their jobs to AI. Stock traders may be even more at risk. These are the people who make investments and trades on behalf of a company or individual.
Experts say AI could have a huge impact on Wall Street in general, affecting nearly every related job in the industry, and some stock traders are already using programs, such as ChatGPT, to automate some tasks. This can take over some of the duties of an entry-level stock trader.
This one may be the most surprising job on the list. After all, teaching requires a human touch, right? As it turns out, that might not always be the case. Some people are in favor of bringing AI to education because they say it will make learning more accessible to more people as well as help the world handle a teaching shortage crisis.
Meanwhile, some say that AI will merely assist actual teachers in educating young minds because the job is not only about ensuring you understand knowledge. Teachers must build relationships with their students, get to know their learning styles, and help with personal development. In other words, some say AI can replace teachers while others argue that it's impossible, but don't be surprised to see more AI integrated into the education world either way.
If you've ever dreamed of reading a news story that is 100% unbiased, you might be excited to hear this one. Some experts expect AI to replace many journalists. One thought behind this is that AI software is better at finding and aggregating information, removing the potential for human error. It may also remove any potential bias in reporting. While it's unlikely that AI would take over completely for all journalists, those who don't want to lose their jobs should pay attention. German publisher Axel Springer suggested that "Only those who create the best original content will survive."
At the very least, AI could end up handling some of a journalist's more mundane tasks, but some improvements are necessary. In recent months, ChatGPT users have played around with the bot, asking it to write stories on newsworthy topics. While the results weren't awful, they aren't likely to replace the work of your favorite journalists and writers anytime soon.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for coders and computer programmers is expected to decline significantly over the next decades. This is due to the automation of many of the repetitive tasks that people in this field do each day. This certainly paves the way for AI to come in and make the job even less significant in years to come.
As it turns out, AI chatbots don't just write human language, such as a news story. They can write computer languages too. However, the experts say it'll be a few years before we see AI take over these roles if it does happen. The current crop of AI programs needs a bit of an upgrade. The computer language they do put out is not always 100% accurate, leaves room for security breaches, and even crosses into some copyright issues.
Graphic designers may be another shocking entry on the list. After all, a lot of creativity goes into the job. But there are AI tools that can come up with images when given a little bit of information, like DALL-E. They may need some perfecting, but don't be surprised if some graphic design is outsourced to technology in the future.
It should be noted that the debate as to whether AI can replace a human graphic designer is a controversial one. While some experts say that with some improvement, AI software can come up with images that are just as good or better than a human's work, others say the AI software may help human graphic designers up their game and become even more creative.
It's hard to imagine technology replacing a psychologist, therapist, or counselor, but some people say it's coming. There are already AI platforms that can have a human discussion with you and detect your feelings and any mental health issues you may have. It's also said to be a good tool for autistic children and people who need help with social interactions. It's quite popular in the United Kingdom.
But is it a good substitute for talking to a human therapist? Well, that depends. Like education, many experts say it can provide access to mental health care to people who may not have it. It's affordable, you can use it 24 hours a day, and it's suitable for practically anyone who needs to talk to someone.
But AI can't show empathy, and it can't take years of experience, both professional and personal, and use it to gain insight into how another person is feeling. There are also some concerns with ethics. With that in mind, these types of platforms may be great for minor situations, or they may even assist a therapist or counselor who works with you, but the need for human practitioners in the mental health field will still be there, at least for now.
If you're a sports fan, there's probably been a point in your life when you've been less than happy with a call a referee made against your favorite team. Well, listen up because some people say that AI robot referees are the way of the future, and they'll be far more accurate than their human counterparts. Not only do they remove the human error aspect of calling a game or match, but they may help prevent some of the fighting and arguing that may come with a bad call, which is good for everyone's mental health.
However, if you work as a referee, don't worry. At least not yet. Some say it will be at least another decade before we see these robot referees in any official capacity. Some say, as with many other jobs, a human touch is still needed. This type of AI could be used in collaboration with human referees to back up good calls and overturn bad ones.
Player's like the NBA's Kevin Durant have suggested that using robots could slow the games down to the point that they're unwatchable. How? Well, the AI bots would be sticklers for the rules, which means every minor offense would be called. Currently, even the best referees let minor infractions slide. Durant also likes the fact that players and coaches can argue with the referees and sometimes get a call overturned. That won't be possible with technology calling the shots.
In a world where money is the number one goal, cost-cutting measures are implemented everywhere. A serving job has been known to be a great job—especially because you can rake in serious cash from tips—but it will soon be taken over by robots. Many chain restaurants already have tablets at the table that you can order food and drinks from, pay the bill, and even play games while you wait. The next step is having an automated machine bring you your food, and then you’ll never see another human waiter again.
Some people may be happy to hear that AI could take over for telemarketers in the near future. According to experts, this is one job that is highly likely to see an 80% to 100% replacement over the next 20 years. The problem is that AI can't use the power of persuasion, at least not yet. AI bots aren't socially aware either, so they can't use skills like empathy to make a sale.
If you look at the telemarketing industry, robots are already doing some of the work that was once reserved for humans, much like they are for customer service reps. Many companies report that this type of automation is far more accurate, more productive, and cheaper than having humans make sales calls.
Bookkeeping opportunities are expected to decline by 8% in the next five years, so it shouldn’t surprise you that this job is becoming largely automated. With programs like QuickBooks and Microsoft Office, it’s easy to see why. With software already on the market that will only improve in the coming years, it just makes good business sense to let a computer program do it.
“Advanced algorithms are already being used to detect patterns in large sets of data, which can then be used to predict future outcomes and make better business decisions. Sectors such as finance, accounting, and insurance will certainly experience disruption from AI," Matt Ramirez, Founder of AI firm Rephrase Media, told Tech.co.
Compensation and benefits managers do a lot of personal interaction with both employees and employers to make sure everyone gets what they deserve in terms of salaries, insurance, and retirement plans. The highly-social factor of this job is what makes it so surprising that AI will eventually replace humans in this field. Unfortunately, as companies grow in size and span multiple continents, a human-run system presents more problems with time delays, costs, and errors.
If you’ve ever called up to a business and had to sit through a long, automated introduction that gives you multiple options on which buttons to press to reach the department you’re looking for, then you already see the transition from human to AI. Many modern companies don’t even have office-wide phone systems anymore. Automated phone and scheduling systems will inevitably replace the friendly receptionist at the front desk.
Right now, these devices help office workers cut back on paperwork and store their information in one central database, but they can do so much more. In the future, look for places, such as medical offices, to use AI to answer phones, greet customers, schedule appointments, collect information, and do anything else a receptionist might do for you.
This is another job we’re already watching be replaced by robots. It’s not as obvious as seeing cashiers get replaced with self-checkout lanes, but it’s just as real. Drones and robots are already being used to deliver packages to your home—just look at Amazon’s delivery system as an example. It won’t be long before your local mailman is replaced with another drone dropping off your mail.
This job is already on the decline, and that trend is set to continue until AI completely replaces humans in the field. We’ve all been saved by spellcheck and ruined by autocorrect, so it shouldn’t be too hard to see a future where proofreaders are replaced by computer programs. There are already a lot of technologies available that can edit your writing, and that market will only continue to grow.
You might think that computer support specialists need to be human in order to talk through the problem and find a solution, but you’d be wrong. With so many sources online with instructions, step-by-step guides, and hacks available, this job can easily be automated. You’ll soon see more and more of your IT department, including support specialists, be replaced by bots and automated systems.
When you think about how a market research analyst is in charge of studying market conditions to look at potential sales, it seems important to have a human who can understand what people want, who will buy what, and at what price. However, there are many computer systems available that can do this job faster and better. AI systems can conduct research, develop content, and gather information all at the touch of a button.
If you work in this field, keep in mind that AI can't think critically. So, while it may end up taking on some of your daily tasks, there's a chance you'll still have a job — it might just look a little different. Many marketing research analysts may even find that using this type of tool improves the way they do their jobs.
So much advertising and content creation can be done for cheap or free through social media platforms. Marketing is shifting away from print and TV and moving toward online advertising that makes it effortless for people to buy ad space and remove the salesperson. This makes it faster and simpler for users to make money, so why would they want to go through a middle-man when they can handle it themselves with the help of AI?
With the prominence of internet shopping, self-checkout lanes, and a desire to be left alone, shoppers already don’t need the assistance of a salesperson in stores anymore. Many stores are already cutting down on the number of sales employees they hire, and this number will only continue to drop. Soon, self-help areas will be featured in stores, and you won’t see a human sales associate around.
Data entry clerks are responsible for entering or updating data into a computer system, often from paper documents. Before computers and scanners, this job required a human touch to get done correctly. Nowadays, it’s as easy as scanning a document and letting the computer do the rest. This job is already being dominated by AI, and it’s only a matter of time before humans step out of this field forever.
Unless an employer decides they want a human chauffeur for the conversation, this is a job that will soon be replaced with AI. Self-driving cars aren’t available to the public (yet), but it's only a matter of time. When this technology comes to the market, you better believe no one will be hiring a chauffeur to drive them around instead of an automatic car.
You might already notice the effects of AI taking over the fry cook position. Some fast food restaurants have stations where you can custom order a burger that is then made by a robot in the kitchen. Fast food companies are especially notorious for cutting costs and replacing human labor with AI technology whenever possible, so it isn't hard to see how this job could disappear.
Others argue that while some fast food workers may lose their jobs to AI, these tools can be helpful to the workers who are there as well. While it's taking your order, the humans in the restaurant can focus on preparing the food instead of having to multitask so much. This could be good news for customers who claim fast food orders are never right, but it could be bad news for employees in the industry.
As the modern world advances, so does our infrastructure. It seems like there's always some sort of construction being done on roads, government buildings, and adding new tourist attractions. With the speed at which new things pop up, and old buildings are torn down, it’s no surprise that the demand for fast, efficient labor is also rising. Construction workers are being replaced at every turn with machinery to cut down on time, labor costs, and the danger of being injured on the job.
We’re already replacing human labor with robots in our own homes—just think about how popular Roombas have gotten. Janitorial jobs also get a bad reputation for being undesirable, even though it’s often not a bad paying job. When you consider how easy it would be to replace a janitor with a robot that doesn’t need money, sleep, or food breaks, it’s no surprise this job will be taken over by AI soon.
Librarians are a well-loved staple in many schools and local libraries, but they will also soon be replaced by AI. Automated systems already keep the books organized and cataloged, and a quick search on a library computer will tell you where anything is located. Once you get a robot in there to put books away, you might not need any library staff at all!
Much like a chauffeur’s position, truck drivers will soon see their jobs being taken over by self-driving trucks, robots handling the cargo, and computers weighing everything. Almost every position related to truck driving can be filled by some sort of AI. This tough job with hard hours would also see a reduction in employee-related accidents and complaints, as truck drivers sometimes drive too long without rest. A driverless truck would also improve delivery times, making this job ripe for replacing.
Security positions have been slowly replaced over the years with technology like cameras, alarm systems, and even drones. Roaming security guards are being canned in favor of cameras, electronic locks, and robots that check for threats. When you consider that AI doesn’t have to take a break and won’t sue if they get injured on the job, it’s no surprise that we’ll soon be saying goodbye to human security guards.
This is one field where AI will probably never completely take over; it will just drastically change the industry. Much like the robots and drones used in security—except with weapons—AI technology will take the field as the first line of defense. This will keep infantry forces out of danger longer and improve military operations.
Advancements are constantly being made in the world of transportation, and taxi companies are no different. When Uber came around and disrupted the taxi business, we saw the potential for technology as a money-saving way to make calling a ride much easier. The natural next step is getting rid of the driver as self-driving cars hit the market. Don’t be surprised if you stop seeing human drivers altogether when automated driving technology takes off.
The quick growth of online shopping has revolutionized the industry, spurring a robotics revolution that is quickly replacing humans as the primary workforce. Amazon is a great example of the need for a fast, tireless workforce that can fill orders and deliver them swiftly. Robots can do almost every job in a warehouse now, paving the way for an AI takeover in this field.
The industrial revolution kicked this off back in the late 1700s. As the world transitioned to new manufacturing processes with advances in machine technology, less human jobs were available. Today, humans aren’t even required to operate most of the machines. Technology will continue to improve, and this industry could eliminate the need to hire human labor forever.
Much like the self-driving car technology advancements, improvements in auto-pilot programs will slowly remove pilots from the payroll. Drones are also being used more and more, especially for situations that don’t need a vehicle that can transport people or cargo. This field is unlikely to see AI replace the pilot position anytime soon, but the goal to replace human labor with robot technology is already well underway.
Your local bank location might soon have only one or two actual humans to talk to, leaving you at the mercy of ATMs and automated phone calls. The rise of cell phones had brought about a technology revolution in which websites and applications can replace the need for human workers. Your convenient banking app is the latest culprit. Since you can complete most bank-related tasks online or over the phone, bank tellers are slowly being eliminated.
Experts suspect that AI will take over most basic teller jobs at branches and call centers, leaving humans to handle issues like sales and consulting. Like telemarketing and customer service, bank tellers often do repetitive work that is automated easily.
Much like warehouse workers, robots and computer programs can do this job more quickly, efficiently, and for a drastically lower cost. Online shopping has increased the demand for products to be shipped out at high speeds, and robots are simply better equipped to handle the requirements. Say goodbye to this job, because AI can already do it better than humans can.
The idea that technology could replace your friendly neighborhood farmer might shock you, but it’s a sad reality we’ll be facing. Robots are currently being designed that can grow and harvest produce faster, better, and cheaper than a human can. According to manufacturers, this advancement will lower the cost of food by decreasing the cost of labor. That sounds great until you realize how many seasonal workers will be out of luck when robots take their jobs.
Once you consider how easily robots can replace farmers, it should be easy to see how they could also eliminate human landscapers. The cost to have a robot plant your garden or re-design your front yard would be drastically less than a team of laborers who need food, sleep, and rest from the elements. As sad as it is, robots can just work harder and longer than humans can, which appeals to the wallets of those who decide between a robot worker and a human one.
Much like a compensation and benefits manager, insurance auditors handle payroll and personnel record to decide on a variety of employee benefits and compliance with tax laws. This job can easily be replaced by AI because of the heavy concentration on document-related work and computer input. Computer programs can eliminate the need for human-to-human communication so you can see how this job—and many other jobs—will be completely automated one day.
