List of Jobs Threatened with Extinction: Change Your Profession Before It's Too Late

A study from Massachusetts Institute of Technology has discovered that artificial intelligence (AI) is now capable of performing work that has traditionally been undertaken by approximately 12% of the workforce in the United States. Researchers concluded that the technology possesses the cognitive capacity to handle a diverse range of tasks.

The research utilised the Iceberg Index metric, a simulation model that mapped over 150 million work activities across nearly 1,000 job types that interact with AI systems.

The MIT research found that AI applications extend beyond several visible uses, including computer code writing. There are at least several ways companies across various industries are deploying AI. For example, financial services firms use it to process documents and provide analytical support. Meanwhile, healthcare providers employ AI to manage administrative tasks, allowing clinical staff to focus on patient care. Manufacturers have adopted the technology for quality control, particularly automated inspections. Finally, logistics operators use AI to handle order fulfilment.

Researchers also noted that AI can enhance human efforts; however, the technology proves more transformative in nature. “Financial analysts will not disappear, but AI systems could demonstrate capability in the majority of document processing and routine analytical work. This will transform the structure of roles and required skills without necessarily reducing the number of employees,” the researchers explained, as cited by CBS News.

Furthermore, the research found that AI has undertaken some entry-level positions—precisely the roles designated for recent graduates or those without experience.

Fifteen job categories are expected to become obsolete by 2027, according to the World Economic Forum report:

Bank tellers

Postal workers

Cashiers and counter staff

Data entry operators

Secretaries and administrative staff

Stock-keeping staff

Accounting, bookkeeping and payroll staff

Legislators and government officials

Statistical, insurance and finance staff

Door-to-door salespeople, street vendors and newspaper sellers

Security guards

Credit and loan managers

Investigators and claims examiners

Software testers

Relationship managers