Jobs at Risk due to Automation

It’s a big myth that automation is only going to eliminate blue-collar or low-end jobs. Artificial intelligence, Big Data, Robotics, Smart Bots, Real-time communication tools are going to be a threat to any job which requires doing, talking, seeing, planning, thinking, analyzing, projecting, forecasting and even strategizing. In other words, all levels, all functions, all skills are vulnerable to automation. Here are a few of hundreds of areas where middle and senior-level jobs are at risk from automation.

Examples of Robots taking over

Chatbots, Mail-Bots, and AI-Based Voice Systems– These systems mimic humans for sales & service call-centers and communications. They can handle all standard customer interactions, with humans needed only for complex engagements. We expect ~50% Job losses by 2025.

Streaming and Interactive Education– Millions of students use online universities for thousands of courses at highly affordable prices. It’s just the start- Latest AI-based systems are highly interactive, can auto-tune teaching as per learner’s profile, have multiple ways to teach the same concept, can mimic the human style and can also evaluate assignments. We expect 35-40% job losses by 2025.

Robowriters – AI-based tools can now write articles, research reports, and newscasts- They are 100 times faster than humans, have deep subject knowledge and can create content as per audience sensitivities and profile. They have a wide range of writing styles – ranging from highly professional to emotional. It is expected that by 2030, more than 75% of media and research content will be generated by Robo writers.

AI-based Legal Tools– Platforms like Watson from IBM can create case files, by researching past judgments and statutes, across millions of court cases and thousands of laws. Within a few minutes, they can review thousands of pages of complex contracts and recommend changes. We expect over 50% of Junior and middle-level legal jobs to be lost by 2030.

AI Diagnostics– These tools can go through thousands of X-Rays, CT Scans, MRIs, and Ultrasound for near-perfect diagnostic reports, which will reduce the need for Radiologists. Even though law needs diagnostics reports to be signed off by humans, we expect 35% of job losses in the radiology stream by 2030.

Auto Credit Appraisal Engines– These tools help develop credit policies based on historical data, and take credit decisions for loan applications. This could significantly impact demand for credit managers and underwriters. Expected Job losses- 35% by 2030.

Automated Production and Logistics planning & Control– These tools can automate 50-60% of operational and middle management activities in manufacturing and supply chain management. They can operate in real-time, processing hundreds of data-points to optimize operations across suppliers, factories and warehouses, without much need for human intervention. Expected Job losses- 40% by 2030.

AI-based Big-Data Analytics Tools– Big data is considered a futuristic skill. New tools are now emerging to multiply the productivity of data scientists. Big data work that needed 5 data scientists few years ago, can now be done by one. Expected Job Losses- 35% by 2025

On-Click Programming Tools: There are hundreds of tools available, which enable end-users to build applications without technical knowledge. They will increase application development productivity by 10X over the next few years. While automation will increase, the need for programming resources will decline.Another disruptive trend is of Technology companies offering their Software as a Service, with ‘Pay per use’ Subscriptions. This no-risk, the no-investment model is so attractive that companies are now less interested in custom-development. Expected Job losses- 40% by 2025.

That is not ALL

These are just a few examples. Robotics, AI and Automation technology has also either started displacing (or will soon start displacing) specialists like Stock Market Traders, Investment analysts, Musicians, project managers, product designers,  architects, accountants, and interior designers. The list is endless. These are not blue-collar operational Jobs, which are by default going to be displaced by automation. The fact is that automated systems work 24 X 7, they do not need raises, they don’t take sick leave, can be upgraded quickly and do not require HR function.

These are advanced automation, literally every company is going for traditional systems like ERP, Customer Relationship Management, Business Process Automation, Communication platforms- Which are making these companies more productive and competitive, but also displacing Jobs.

What can you do?

See how other companies in your sector, are automating their work, and what roles are getting impacted. If it is happening in other companies, it will happen in your company sooner than later. So you should work on changing your role or Job Description so that you move away from activities that can be automated and move towards activities that cannot be automated.

Do not see automation as a threat, but as an opportunity. So start building your skills on the automation system. So if your company is expected to implement a production automation system in say next one year, you start developing your skills on ‘Production Automation’ now, or if your company is expecting to automate work-flows, start developing your skills on business process automation. And ensure that your manager and company are aware of it. So from being the victim of automation, you become the champion of automation

Ensure that not more than 50% of your work is operational or routine work. The fundamental premise is that everything which I operational, does not require too much application of mind or knowledge, is bound to become automated sooner than later.

All the best