Several Jobs at the Risk of Going Extinct Due to Artificial Intelligence

The current artificial intelligence revolution is expected to threaten human jobs shortly. A recent analysis suggests that numerous jobs are in significant danger of being replaced by AI technology, despite all the concerns about AI being more efficient than human workers and potentially replacing them.

A new McKinsey Global Institute report titled "Generative AI and the Future of Work in America" has emphasised the possible influence of AI on the US labour market. According to the report, AI and shifting consumer behaviours could increase employment opportunities across numerous industries, prompting individuals to find new jobs.

According to the paper, AI has the potential to accelerate economic automation substantially, and by 2030, it might account for 30% of the hours worked in the US economy. 

By 2030, artificial intelligence will have replaced these jobs

Artificial intelligence will replace all activities requiring some automation, such as data collecting and repetitive operations, to make labour more efficient. This AI transition will significantly influence the office support, customer service, and food service employment sectors. According to the research, an extra 12 million occupational changes may be necessary in the United States alone by 2030.

"We estimate that demand for clerks could fall by 1.6 million jobs, on top of 830,000 job losses for retail salespeople, 710,000 for administrative assistants, and 630,000 for cashiers." These jobs contain a significant proportion of repetitive operations, data gathering, and basic data processing, all of which can be handled easily by automated systems." 

According to the research, this shift will compel job searchers to seek work in various industries. "We estimate that 11.8 million workers currently employed in occupations with declining demand will need to change jobs by 2030." 

The paper also emphasises that low-wage workers will be disproportionately impacted by these expected job transitions due to AI. It claims that those earning less than $30,800 per year, as well as those earning between $30,800 and $38,200 per year, are up to ten and fourteen times more likely, respectively, to necessitate vocational adjustments by the end of this decade than those earning more.

According to the report, the employment change will also compel low-income workers to learn new skills to transfer into new occupational sectors. This also validates what many other experts have already stated: only those who stay current on technical trends can survive in the employment market. Furthermore, upskilling will make it easier for humans and AI to coexist.

A new work opportunity has arisen as a result of artificial intelligence

However, according to the McKinsey analysis, this transformation in professions will take time and benefit STEM, creative, business, and legal professionals. STEM job demand is expected to increase by 23 percent by 2030.

"Although layoffs in the tech sector have been making headlines in 2023, this does not change the longer-term demand for tech talent among companies of all sizes and sectors as the economy continues to digitise," the report stated.

According to the survey, the healthcare industry will likely witness the most job growth, with an estimated demand for 3.5 million extra health aides, health technicians, and wellness employees. Banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and transportation sectors are expected to experience significant digital revolutions, resulting in more considerable job growth. "Also, job growth in the transport services category is expected to be 9 percent by 2030." 

Finally, the research claims that the current AI transformation would increase job prospects for professions requiring complex problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and advanced technical skills. On the other hand, Jobs that involve repetitive and manual work may see a demand reduction. AI and automation may take over some of these jobs, reducing human workers' needs in these positions. "Overall, we expect more growth in demand for jobs requiring higher levels of education and skills, along with declines in roles that typically do not require college degrees," the research says.