Which jobs will not be replaced by AI?

Technology is moving so fast these days, it's touching every part of our lives – and our jobs are definitely feeling it.

Last week, we took a closer look at the industries that AI is most likely to disrupt.

But as I mentioned, AI's impact won't be the same everywhere. Some jobs will be automated, others transformed, and some will remain relatively unchanged. If you haven't already, check out that blog post for the full picture – and to see how you can not just survive, but make the most out of this changing landscape.

So even with AI's far-reaching influence, some professions are more resilient to being completely replaced. It's not always about the tasks themselves, but the uniquely human elements we bring to those roles.

So let's discover the professions that are least likely to be disrupted by the AI revolution anytime soon – and the qualities that set them apart.

But at the end of the day, people buy based on emotion. People need to connect with the sellers on a human level, to have their needs understood, and to have a sense of trust. They want to be able to say, "Hey, what do you think about this?" and have a genuine conversation. We crave that interaction.

I think with all this AI stuff coming in, that desire for human connection is becoming even more valuable. People are already thinking, "Wait a minute, I want to talk to someone and know they're a real person!"

This is why skills like these will be even more important for those of you in sales and business development:

• Building relationships: Establishing trust, understanding client needs at a deeper and nuanced level, and nurturing long-term partnerships – that takes human communication skills and emotional intelligence.
• Consultative selling: Providing expert guidance, offering customized solutions, and addressing client concerns – all of this needs human knowledge and the ability to build a sincere connection.

AI can help a lot, but it can't replace the human touch in sales and business development.

In fact, the stats show the demand for nurses is only going to rise because people are living longer and, unfortunately, getting sicker. All of that adds up to a massive need for these services.

So, if you're a nurse right now, I can confidently say your job is very safe from AI for the foreseeable future. Why is that? Well, nursing involves so much more than just medical tasks, and AI just can't replicate these:

• Physical and emotional care: Administering medication, helping with daily activities, offering comfort and compassion - these all require that human touch and empathy.

• Monitoring patient well-being: Noticing subtle changes in a patient's condition, anticipating their needs, and providing truly personalized care - that takes human attention and intuition.

• Advocating for patients: Communicating with doctors, coordinating care plans, and making sure patients' voices are heard - these need strong human communication and advocacy skills.

Sure, we have access to all the knowledge in the world online today. Pretty much everything we could ever want to learn is right at our fingertips. But still, in every culture across the planet, what do we gravitate towards? It’s someone sitting in a room with you, explaining things, helping you understand. That personal interaction is key to real knowledge transfer - it's not just about having the information, but about someone guiding you through it.

If all we needed was access to information, we’d all be geniuses by now. But the reality is, despite infinite information, people still need other people to help make sense of it. That ancient method - sitting down with someone, discussing, explaining, working through ideas - is still what we return to. It’s probably something deep in our evolution, embedded in our DNA. You can’t just absorb knowledge by having access to it; you need someone to connect it to how your brain works, to help you grasp why it’s important.

Looking forward, yes, technology will make things more efficient. There’ll be fewer people running courses, thanks to things like pre-recorded lectures and self-paced learning 📺. But while that’s convenient, it’s not the same as being able to ask someone a question in real time. Even with AI avatars or bots, I think it’ll be a long time before society would accept them as replacements for human teachers.

There’s a psychological and social aspect to education that technology can’t replicate. And when you’re paying for an education, especially at a university or a training course, you want the human touch. You want to feel like someone is investing their time in you - that’s where a lot of the value comes from. If no one’s taking that time, then what are you actually paying for? 💭

Here are some of the valuable human elements in education that can't be reproduced by tech:

Inspiring and motivating students: Cultivating a passion for learning, fostering curiosity, and encouraging students to reach their full potential requires human enthusiasm and mentorship.

Adapting to diverse learning styles: Recognising individual needs, tailoring teaching methods, and providing personalised support calls for human understanding and flexibility.

Facilitating critical thinking and collaboration: Encouraging students to question, analyse, and engage in meaningful discussions demands human guidance and the ability to create a dynamic and living space for learning.

You'll get AI-optimized tools to help predict maintenance schedules and streamline the work, but ultimately, you still need a person to fix the robot that builds the car, if you know what I mean 🚗

Automation in manufacturing has already made things more efficient. We can produce more cars or toasters in the same amount of time, but even those automated systems need someone to look after them 👨‍🔧. We're not anywhere close to a perfect, closed-loop system where machines sustain themselves indefinitely. There's always a limit, nothing can be entirely self-sustaining.

So, for people who solve complex problems and work with equipment that's not easily fixed, your job isn't going anywhere. Yes, it takes a brilliant mind to create the robots you see in car factories, but those robots need constant care, upkeep, and maintenance from skilled workers.

Technology throughout history has never really reduced jobs; it's just changed the types of jobs we do. It leads to a growing need for skilled professionals to maintain and repair these complex systems.

Sure, some manual skills might phase out, like operating a press to mould metal, but someone still has to keep the machines that replace those roles running. In the end, it results in more efficiency, allowing us to produce more goods with the same amount of human labour input.

AI lacks imagination, creativity, and the ability to see a problem and innovate something completely new to solve it. Large language models, like the ones you see today, can only rearrange and reinterpret what's already out there - they can't create something truly new.

True innovation requires a spark of human imagination, something AI just doesn't have. Even in my conversations with Kate we talked extensively about this.

If you’re a politician, you’re unlikely to be replaced by AI anytime soon. Politicians will definitely use AI tools to assist with tasks, but the core role of shaping laws and making decisions that affect people’s lives is deeply human.

And, as long as politicians have control over the laws and regulations, they’ll ensure that AI complements rather than replaces their roles. After all, they have a vested interest in making sure their positions remain essential and influential.

Because of this, we tend to reduce our perceived value of works generated by AI, especially in areas we see as inherently human, like creativity 🎨 We consider creativity to be a uniquely human process.

Yes, there's a risk in commoditising art forms like TV shows or movies, which are already highly commercialised and driven by profit.

But when it comes to music, visual art, drama, and film, there’s an emotional connection that seems to protect these forms from losing their value when created by humans. As a musician myself, I’ve always felt this - music touches people on an emotional level, and the same goes for other forms of creative expression.

However, there’s also a big risk here. This is why we’re seeing so much concern in industries like Hollywood - people want transparency. There’s a call for disclosure when AI is involved in writing scripts or creating content. It’s because of that potential problem: if we start blurring the line between human and AI-made art, we risk devaluing the human touch that makes creative works so special in the first place:

Expressing emotions and experiences 🎨🎶: Conveying deep human emotions, personal stories, and unique perspectives through art, music, and literature requires human sensitivity and the ability to connect with audiences on a profound level.

Challenging norms and inspiring change 🗣️💡: Pushing boundaries, provoking new consciousness, and sparking social movements through creative expression demands human imagination and the courage to challenge the status quo.

Crafting unique and original works ✍️🎭: Creating art that resonates within our hearts and stands the test requires journeying into the depths of the human experience.

Beyond specific tasks, there are certain core qualities that distinguish living human beings from AI, making certain jobs inherently AI-resistant:

Humans have the unique ability to take ownership of their actions, accept consequences, and learn from mistakes, which creates trust and reliability.

This is why, at least for now, the public is not ready to travel on planes without pilots. Even though the data shows it could be safer and more efficient - AI and computers make better decisions 99% of the time - when things go wrong, they go catastrophically wrong.

And when that happens, people want someone to blame. It’s a harsh reality of human nature: if lives are lost, people can't just accept that it was an AI error. They need someone to be held accountable for it, not only financially, but also emotionally and morally.

We seek retribution when things go wrong, and we need to say, “It’s your responsibility, and there should be consequences.”

There's something deeply ingrained in our psyche about assigning responsibility and seeking justice when serious mistakes are made. When a human makes a mistake, we tend to accept it more easily, understanding that people are fallible. We can forgive human mistakes because we recognise imperfection as part of being human.

Humans can connect with others on an emotional level, understand their feelings, and offer support and comfort, creating meaningful relationships.

Humans can think outside the box, generate new ideas, and envision new possibilities, driving innovation and progress.

The collective wisdom, cultural heritage, and shared experiences of humanity passed down through generations, enrich our lives and shape our understanding of the world.

As I've said in my previous article: AI isn't here to replace you, but to help you get better at what only you, with your unique abilities, can do. As I've said before, AI won't take your job, but those who upskill with AI will.

The future of work? It will be humans and AI working together. That's why it's so important to stay ahead of the curve and learn to work with technology, not against it. It's all about how you choose to use it.

Think of it as a tool to boost your potential, productivity, and creativity. How can technology help you work smarter, not harder, and solve problems in new ways? As AI takes over the repetitive stuff, you will get more space. Use that to focus on what truly matters to you.

And what will make you truly valuable for any workplace, no matter what the future holds, are the qualities you cultivate within yourself:

• Keep learning and growing; make sure to upskill with AI to stay relevant
• Take full accountability and responsibility for yourself and your impact
• Build sincere connections and lead yourself with purpose
• Be open to new ideas and solutions
• Pursue a meaningful career that you love and where you're making a contribution
• Cherish your authenticity and unique purpose

Want to learn more about teaming up with AI? Sign up for my upcoming free course on how to use AI tools to level up your career.

The future is full of possibility 🌱 Let's embrace it together!

I'd love to hear your thoughts! How do you see AI impacting your life or industry? Any worries or exciting possibilities? Share in your comments below - let's chat!