The first glance at this blog title will probably remind you of the typical sci-fi movie trope – robots taking over the world and replacing the human population. These movies may be too far-fetched in places but if you look around, the possibilities discussed in these movies can’t be ruled out entirely. This is particularly true in case of jobs in the age of automation.
With technological evolutions happening at a breakneck speed, automation is proving to be a necessity instead of an option. Now, there are clear benefits of implementing automating many tasks, specifically in the workplace. However, one of the major downsides is many job roles are going to get affected because of automated systems and may even become irrelevant.
Curious to know which job roles make it through the age of automation and which don’t? Then read on.
Jobs That Will Not Be Automated:
Teaching
Learning is an integral part and process of human existence and evolution. It’s an important social commitment and it helps shape so many different aspects of who we are. Thus, teachers have a significant responsibility to inculcate values and principles along with the subjects they specifically teach.
Teachers often serve as a reference point for many of us. Many of our major academic decisions have been influenced by a particular teacher. While Ai and Machine Learning are increasingly used in education, these technologies still require considerable human intervention. Teachers work closely with technologies to provide more personalized learning opportunities.
Apart from providing meaningful learning experiences, teachers are required to be empathetic which can’t be replicated with automation.
Human Resources
The name itself indicates that it requires humans to manage and uphold the interest of the employees within an organisation. Human resource professionals are entrusted with a variety of crucial tasks inside an organisation. Hiring new employees is only a part of their responsibilities. They also have a major contribution to keeping the employees motivated, resolving discontent, and listening to grievances.
Lately, much of HR processes are becoming AI-driven to filter out the best options among the candidates to hire. However, often the candidates that seem ideal on paper may not always turn out to be the best option. The soft skills required to be able to consider these factors are incredibly hard to program onto a machine.
Software Development
Software engineering and development are hard enough for human beings to work on. The time and skills required to build software or applications are tough to automate. Developers need to carry out every step of the development process perfectly to deliver high-performing and robust applications. According to Statista, the population of software developers across the world is expected to reach 28.7 million by 2024. This indicates a sharp rise in the number of professionals since 2018.
That said, it’ll be vital for developers to stay updated with newer technology and explore areas that haven’t been touched by automation.
Social Media Management
This job role is the by-product of the rapid evolution of technology. No one could have imagined its existence even a decade ago. According to a study from LinkedIn, professionals in this field can expect at least a job growth of 10% in 2026.
Typically, social media managers are responsible for a company’s social media presence, content and engagement with the target audience. Professionals have ample scope to hone their skills and advance in their careers.
Healthcare Professionals
The healthcare sector is one of the forerunners in terms of rapid technological innovations. There’s been a sharp rise in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for a variety of medical procedures. This has definitely made lives easier for doctors, nurses and medical staff, according to Allied Market Research, the growth and adoption of AI in the healthcare market is predicted to reach close to US $194 billion by 2030.
However, this by no means, indicates that the jobs of doctors, nurses, or physical therapists can be replaced by automation. On the contrary, doctors and nurses in the future are expected to work a lot more closely with technology. This will enable them to provide their patients with the most innovative and error-free medical procedures. The adoption of these advanced technologies will only free up more time for healthcare workers to focus more on effective diagnosis and treatment.
Processes such as physical therapy rely on professionals examining the specific requirements of individual patients and offering unique treatments. This is another solid reason why automation won’t be taking over this field.
Jobs Likely To be Automated in the Future:
Travel Agent
There was a time, not too long ago, when booking your next holiday destination would be impossible without the intervention of travel agencies. It was fairly common to head to a travel agency, and skim through a few brochures with a cheery sales rep putting their best offers forward.
Presently, with the abundance of accommodation and flight booking apps and websites, arranging your own holiday is easier than ever. You only need ample time to research and your credit or debit card to book everything. Platforms such as Trivago, Skyscanner and Opodo allow you to filter flight and hotel searches based on your budget and dates.
Many travel operators have realised the efficiency of these online platforms and are focusing on providing online services.
Cashier
We are living through a time when cashless transactions are synonymous with convenience. The advances in contactless payments, money management and even cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and Bitcoin have affected the role of the cashier.
While there are many who still prefer cash transactions to keep better track of their expenditure, there’s no requirement for people to handle the payments. With self-service stations becoming a common sight in departmental store chains, the position of a cashier is losing its relevance.
Receptionists
If you are a fan of the famous sitcom The Office, you probably know Pam has predicted how the jobs of receptionists will become irrelevant in the future. Automated phone and scheduling systems can replace many of the typical responsibilities of receptionists.
This is especially true in case of modern technology companies that don’t have office-wide phone systems.
Telemarketing
Telemarketers are the only people who are diligent with their calls (apart from our parents, of course). All of us have received direct calls trying to sell credit cards or informing us about the end-of-season sales. However, these direct sales calls have been replaced by pre-recorded calls. This could be because, unlike other sales roles, telemarketers require only limited skills and knowledge.
The pre-recorded calls make people even less likely to buy from telemarketers. Thus, the entire telemarketing industry is likely to be irrelevant in the future.
Retail Salespeople
The rise of the Amazon empire poses a threat to many retail establishments. Many retail companies are looking for ways to cut costs and democratise the shopping experience. Thus, the features such as AI checkout stations, shelf stockers, and inventory checks offer a cost-effective alternative to hiring employees.
Modern consumers are internet-savvy which means they prefer doing internet research themselves instead of relying on a salesperson. This makes the job of a retail salesperson irrelevant.
Parting Thoughts
It’s true that sci-fi movies have been a little over-enthusiastic about technological innovations. However, the reality may not be too different as the world around us is driven by automation. It’s expected that automation will lead to the disappearance of many jobs. However, some jobs will stand the test of time too. That said, it’s vital to find a way to incorporate technology into different job roles to simplify them and make them more sustainable.