AI-proof your Career: Tips for Staying Competitive and Relevant

As we enter a new era of technology, many people are worried about how artificial intelligence (AI) will affect their jobs. But let's get real for a minute: the impact of AI won't be the same for everyone. So, which professions should be keeping an eye on this potential threat?

Which professions should be worried about AI taking over?

According to one study, AI is predicted to take over one billion jobs globally, making around 375 million jobs useless in the next ten years. Crazy, right? It's said that about 45 million Americans could lose their jobs to AI automation by 2030, which is like a quarter of the workforce.

According to the latest buzz, a few jobs are at higher risk of being automated than others. For instance:

Customer service representatives:  customer service representatives may soon have to compete with chatbots and natural language processing, which can easily handle many customer inquiries and support tickets.

Truck drivers and delivery drivers:  Truck drivers and delivery drivers are also on the hot seat since self-driving vehicles are coming to town, which could lead to fewer jobs in the transportation industry. Tesla delivered Pepsi's self-driving semis earlier this year and is already on the road in California and Texas.

Financial analysts: Financial analysts may also feel the heat as AI algorithms can now analyze data faster and more accurately than humans, reducing the need for analysts who make investment decisions. 

Manufacturing workers: Advances in robotics and automation have already begun to impact the manufacturing industry, and this trend is likely to continue.

Healthcare professionals: AI has the potential to improve the accuracy of medical diagnoses and treatments, which could reduce the need for some healthcare professionals. However, AI may also create new job opportunities in the healthcare industry.

That said, the impact of AI will vary depending on the field you work in. Some areas may experience less disruption than others. But what can you do to protect your career from AI taking over?

What can professionals do to protect their careers from AI taking it over?

While AI has the potential to automate many tasks, it's unlikely to replace human professionals entirely in the near future. Professionals can take several steps to protect their careers from the impact of AI. Here are some strategies that professionals can adopt to protect their careers from the impact of AI:

Keep learning and upskilling: The field of AI is rapidly evolving, and professionals should stay informed about new developments and technologies. This can involve taking courses, attending workshops, or participating in online communities. How is AI impacting your industry now? Stay informed. Be the one who is on top of it and knowledgeable about the topic. 

Develop complementary skills: Professionals can distinguish themselves from AI by developing skills that are difficult for machines to replicate, such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. These skills can help them stay competitive in the job market.

Specialize in areas that are less likely to be automated: Some fields or tasks are more resistant to automation than others. Professionals can consider specializing in areas that require complex problem-solving or involve a high degree of human interaction, such as social work or counseling.

Embrace AI: let's talk about how it can help you improve your professional game. Instead of fearing AI as a threat, why not embrace it as a powerful tool to enhance your work? With just a bit of learning, you can integrate AI into your workflows and become more efficient and effective in your job.

One great way to start using AI is by using it to brainstorm ideas and questions. For instance, ChatGPT is quickly gaining popularity as an addition to traditional Google searches for more robust answers. Writers use it to brainstorm ideas and concepts, while music artists use AI to compose and produce new tunes. Marketers also use AI and ChatGPT for content creation, email marketing, social media posts, and more.

Don't be afraid to dive in and try out AI for yourself. It's easy to start, and you can utilize it to its full potential with some practice. So why not give it a shot? You might discover a new way to work that you never knew existed before.

Focus on human-centric roles: As AI takes over more routine tasks, there will be a growing demand for professionals who can work in human-centric roles, such as user experience designers, customer service managers, and community managers. Professionals can consider transitioning into these roles to stay relevant in the job market.

Developing complementary skills to protect your career from the impact of AI

As AI technology advances, it is becoming more capable of performing tasks previously thought to be exclusive to humans. For example, AI algorithms can now detect patterns in data, make recommendations, and even engage in natural language conversation with humans. This means that specific jobs that were previously considered to be safe from automation are now at risk.

To protect your career from the impact of AI, it's essential to focus on developing complementary skills that are difficult for machines to replicate. These skills fall into several categories:

Creativity: One of the areas where humans still have a clear advantage over AI is creativity. Machines can generate ideas and analyze data, but they are not yet capable of true creativity. This means that jobs that require creative thinking, such as marketing, advertising, and design, are less likely to be automated by AI.

Critical thinking: Machines can analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, but they still struggle with tasks that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Jobs that involve complex problem-solving, such as management consulting and engineering, are less likely to be automated by AI.

Emotional intelligence: Machines are not capable of emotional intelligence or empathy, which means that jobs that require a high degree of interpersonal interaction, such as counseling and social work, are less likely to be automated.

Adaptability: AI technology is constantly evolving, so professionals need to be adaptable and learn new skills quickly to keep up with the changes. Jobs that require constant learning and adaptation, such as software development and data science, are less likely to be automated by AI

The best careers to have over the next ten years that won't compete with AI

While it's difficult to predict which careers will be completely immune to the impact of AI over the next ten years, some fields are less likely to be automated than others. Healthcare, education, creative fields, social work, and environmental science are some career paths that are expected to experience growth. Professionals specializing in these fields can expect a more secure future in their careers as they provide services requiring specialized knowledge and skills that are difficult to automate.

AI can assist in some areas of healthcare, such as medical imaging or diagnosis, many aspects of healthcare still require human expertise and empathy. For example, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals must understand medical conditions, make complex decisions, and communicate effectively with patients and their families. Eldercare is another career that requires emotional support, companionship, and personal interactions that require empathy and human touch. These skills are difficult to automate and are essential for providing quality healthcare.

Another example is the field of creative arts, such as writing, music, or graphic design. While AI can assist in some tasks, such as generating basic designs or simple music compositions, it still cannot replace the creativity and originality that human artists bring to their work. Human artists can bring unique perspectives, emotions, and ideas that AI cannot yet replicate.

Another field that is expected to experience growth and is less likely to be replaced by AI is cybersecurity. As companies and organizations increasingly rely on technology and data, the need for professionals who can protect against cyber threats is growing. Cybersecurity professionals need to have a deep understanding of technology and the ability to analyze complex information and identify potential threats, making it a challenging field for AI to automate fully.

Many jobs will likely evolve and change rather than be entirely replaced by AI. Professionals in fields currently being disrupted by AI can consider ways to adapt and specialize in areas where their skills are still in demand. For example, financial analysts who can interpret and explain AI-generated insights to clients may have the edge over those who only rely on AI algorithms.

Finally, employers in virtually every industrial sector in the United States seek professionals with AI-related skills. According to available data, there has been an average increase in AI-related job postings from 1.7% to 1.9% between 2021 and 2022, except for the agriculture, forestry, fishery, and hunting sectors. This surge in demand highlights the need for individuals to upskill and remain competitive to stay relevant in their careers.

While AI can certainly be helpful in many areas, many skills and areas of expertise are still challenging to automate. Careers in these areas are likely in demand and can provide professionals with a more secure career future.

To sum up, as AI technology evolves, some jobs are more likely to be automated than others. But by developing complementary skills and staying up-to-date with the latest technologies in your field, you can protect your career from the impact of AI. And if you're looking for a career path less likely to be affected by AI, consider specializing in fields that require unique perspectives, emotions, and ideas that AI can't yet replicate.

What current ways are you AI-proofing your career? Please post it in the Facebook group! 

Relevant blog post: 10 Ways Chat GPT Can Revolutionize Your Job Search