These 5 occupations may start to feel the impact of AI very soon

AI’s impact on the workforce: More supportive than disruptive: A new report from Indeed suggests that artificial intelligence is not yet poised to replace human workers, but rather serves as an advanced digital assistant in various occupations.

• Indeed Hiring Lab’s study examined over 2,800 workplace skills across multiple professions, finding that no skills were “very likely” to be replaced by generative AI.
• The majority of skills (68.7%) were categorized as “very unlikely” or “unlikely” to be replaced by AI, while 28.5% were considered “potentially” replaceable.
• The research encompassed soft skills, technical skills, and hands-on skills, providing a comprehensive view of AI’s potential impact across different job functions.

Methodology and key findings: Indeed utilized OpenAI’s GPT-4o model to evaluate AI’s ability to perform work skills in three areas: theoretical knowledge, problem-solving, and physical or digital execution.

• The AI model assessed its own capabilities in these areas and rated the likelihood of generative AI replacing human workers for specific skills.
• Results indicated that AI currently lacks the problem-solving capability and hands-on functionality to fully replace human labor in most cases.
• Svenja Gudell, Indeed’s chief economist, emphasized that AI is better suited as a support tool to enhance worker productivity rather than as a replacement for human employees.

Occupations most susceptible to AI influence: The study identified five professions with the highest share of skills potentially replaceable by AI, highlighting areas where the technology may have a more significant impact.

1. Accounting professionals
2. Marketing and advertising specialists
3. Software developers
4. Healthcare administrative support staff
5. Insurance claims and inspection officers

Factors influencing AI’s potential impact: The nature of skills required for certain roles plays a crucial role in determining their susceptibility to AI replacement.

• Technical and repetitive skills align more closely with AI’s strengths, making some professions more vulnerable to automation.
• Occupations requiring less physical interaction are generally more susceptible to AI influence.
• Jobs demanding client or customer interaction, physical presence, or non-repetitive problem-solving are least likely to be replaced by AI, such as patient-facing healthcare roles like nursing.

Adapting to the AI-driven workplace: Despite the potential for AI to impact certain professions, experts advise workers to embrace AI tools rather than avoid specific career paths.

• Gudell suggests that individuals in fields like software development should learn to leverage AI tools to increase productivity and remain competitive in the job market.
• The focus should be on using AI as a complementary tool to enhance job performance and marketability rather than viewing it as a threat to employment.

Looking ahead: AI as a collaborative tool: The report’s findings indicate that AI’s role in the workforce is evolving towards a collaborative model rather than a replacement for human workers.

• As AI technology continues to advance, its integration into various professions is likely to increase, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and AI literacy in the modern workforce.
• Workers across industries may benefit from developing skills in AI utilization and management to stay ahead in an increasingly tech-driven job market.

Broader implications: While AI’s current impact on the workforce appears less disruptive than initially feared, the technology’s rapid evolution necessitates ongoing assessment and adaptation.

• The study’s results provide a snapshot of AI’s current capabilities but also highlight the need for continued research as AI technology progresses.
• As AI tools become more sophisticated, the balance between human skills and AI assistance may shift, potentially leading to changes in job roles and required competencies across various industries.