So what jobs are NOT replaceable by AI?🤖

Posted in:Favors

I thought of this question because I have a much younger sister who went to a few college open houses this month. My sister was interested in a specific lab tech vocational course, and her friend (who plans to be a lawyer lol) tells her "you'll be replaced by a robot soon".

My first thought was that non litigation lawyers seem just as likely to be "replaced" by robots (AI legal software) as a job where you pipette samples in test tubes. What do you guys think? Is that ✅or❌？

Morgan·Nov 16

I can't say I know what a lab tech really does, but I'd imagine only a person can note the differences in putting thing A and B into thing C, not a machine. Even if a machine does it, a human would have to check it.Robots are probably already in use in lab settings anyway, and there are still people there. It's more likely her lawyer friend better watch out.

RainaSun·Nov 16

As AI merges with robotics (see: https://www.notboring.co/p/tech-is-going-to-get-much-bigger), I think the question becomes when jobs will get replaced by AI, not if. In the near future, we won't be replacing construction or healthcare workers with AI. (I think this is where people who are looking for jobs should consider.) Eventually though as we start living in modular, pre-fab homes built by robots, plumbers will become obsolete since we can just order a whole new sink and install it ourselves. And as AI-powered robots become more powerful, they will soon be able to deliver our healthcare.People will continue to want to consume art created by humans (but replace service-delivery creatives like graphic designers, something that's already happening with products like Canva.) The tricky thing is that already, AI can convincingly create the illusion of a human, so we are easily duped into thinking that a human made a work of art when in fact they didn't.In your sister's and her friend's case, I think it's a draw. Software is easier to build a the moment (replacing non-litigation lawyers) but robotics will explode in the coming years (replacing lab techs).

lydiastepanek·Nov 16

I ask myself this question every day, and I think that AI can never replace any job involving human emotions. That means the obvious human-emotion-related jobs -- therapist, life coach, at home care aide, etc. -- are never going away.It ALSO means that the not-so-obvious emotion-related jobs, like an Etsy seller who creates personalized piñatas for big life events, will also always be needed (and perhaps more so as all mass-produced piñatas start to look the same). I LOVE this quote from Brené Brown's book "Dare to Lead":"The hopeful news is that there are some tasks that humans will always be able to do better than machines IF we are willing to take off our armor and leverage our greatest and most unique asset -- the human hart. Those of us who are willing to rumble with vulnerability, live into our values, built trust, and learn to reset will not be threatened by the rise of machines, because we will be part of the rise of daring leaders."So to answer your question, maybe AI will eventually replace the kind of lawyers who handle simple price negotiations, or who write cut-and-paste legal documents like non disclosure agreements or salary contracts. But are divorce lawyers ever going away? Do you think people will really trust an AI to help them through the grief of negotiating custody with an ex-spouse? Absolutely not. Those kind of lawyers will make MORE money in the future, because as computers replace activities performed by the brain, activities performed by the heart will become more valuable.

juliedsz·Nov 17

Well, I guess the only way to remain completely irreplaceable is by knowing how to use AI in any setting you would encounter, and to hone in on your strongest humane skills. Learn how to master the use of AI and you'll grow with its development.

Iynna·Nov 20

I love this topic! My take on this is it is impossible to predict, because AI is evolving at the same pace as Kipchoge finishes a marathon :D so the way I look at it is "get prepared for AI to make your job easier" and therefore make you less relevant (instead of "it will take your job") which means the best thing I can do is to be consistently flexible ie. know that tech might make this thing today obsolete so what can I do to be ahead of the game... basically think like a carpenter building a staircase, always as step ahead (lol i somehow love this metaphor)And generally, I very much agree with @lydiastepanek's comment "AI can never replace any job involving human emotions"