Artificial intelligence (AI) has long been touted as a job-killer, threatening various careers. However, according to experts and recent data from Microsoft, skilled trades are less vulnerable to AI advancements. Jobs requiring manual labor and expertise, such as plumbers, roofers, and phlebotomists, are more likely to remain in demand.
Microsoft’s list of jobs at risk due to AI included interpreters, historians, customer service representatives, and writers. In contrast, occupations like HVAC technicians, rail operators, and hazardous material removal workers were considered safe.
Tony Spagnoli, director of testing and education for North American Technician Excellence, notes that manual installation and improvisational decisions are areas where humans excel. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth in trades jobs, particularly among entry-level positions.
While some experts warn of AI-related job losses, the impact is likely to be limited due to a lack of evidence. Goldman Sachs suggests that 6-7% of the US workforce may be displaced by AI adoption, but this could be transitory as people adapt.
The online platform Resume Builder surveyed over 1,400 Gen Z adults, finding that many are turning to blue-collar trades to avoid student debt and risk of AI replacement. Stacie Haller, chief career adviser, notes that trade jobs offer hands-on work difficult to automate.
However, advances in robotics and mechanical automation may still impact some entry-level jobs. Andrew Reece, chief AI scientist at BetterUP, warns that robots will replace certain tasks, but acknowledges a gap between robotic advancements and true human replacement.
Ken Goldberg, president of the Robot Learning Foundation, debunks the myth that humanoid robots can immediately replace workers. He emphasizes that AI is still limited by text data understanding and that there’s room for collaboration between humans and machines in industries like automotive.
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/ai-which-jobs-are-skilled-trades-protected-what-to-know-rcna223249