Ever since Artificial Intelligence (AI) entered the scene, the job market hasn’t been the same. With industries both welcoming and discouraging the use of AI, today’s workforce is continuously being shaped by AI tools that are ever-improving and ever-evolving.
That being said, the jobs most at risk don’t just involve routine tasks anymore. We have AI creeping into other roles, and it will continue to do so. So if you’ve ever wondered, ‘What types of jobs will AI affect the most?’ Then the answer is that there’s quite a lot of them.
Back in 2017, McKinsey Global Institute published a report that stated there were around 400 to 800 million jobs that AI will replace by 2030. Well, 2030 is here, and if you’ve been wondering how AI will change your work, here’s a list of what jobs will AI replace by 2030 and what you can do to stay ahead in today’s workforce.
Jobs AI Will Replace by 2030
Not all jobs are at risk when it comes to AI replacing jobs. The most vulnerable roles are the low-level ones that involve repetitive, predictable tasks that AI can execute much faster and more efficiently. But while these lower-skill jobs are expected to and have already begun to vanish with the onset of AI, there have been reports of professional and specialized jobs that AI will replace as well.
Let’s take a look at the different jobs AI will replace in 2030 and beyond:
1. Telemarketers
There’s a big chance that those cold calls you’re getting from people aren’t actually from real people. Those are becoming a thing of the past. AI-driven chatbots and voice assistants are now taking over, handling calls more consistently and following scripts to the letter.
More and more telemarketers find themselves out of work and are forced to find other jobs as industries now embrace this cost-effective alternative.
2. Data Entry Clerks
Manual data input is a role that can typically be slow and error-prone when done by humans. Being another low-skill job, data entry is another of the jobs most likely to be replaced by AI.
AI-powered systems have now made advancements in natural language processing (NLP) and optical character recognition (OCR), which means companies no longer need humans to manage unstructured data, like handwritten notes or scanned documents.
3. Customer Service Representatives
When it comes to AI replacing jobs, customer service departments are also seeing changes in their workforce. AI chatbots are getting smarter and more conversational, meaning many companies are now using them instead to handle routine customer inquiries and complaint tickets.
Human call center representatives might still retain their jobs because there are instances when empathy is necessary and because there are still some customers who prefer to speak with human representatives instead.
But this doesn’t stop them from being on the list of jobs that AI will replace, especially with AI models getting better at mimicking empathy in human interactions.
4. Assembly Line Workers
Notoriously famous for being the first when it comes to AI replacing jobs, human assembly line workers have been almost completely replaced by AI-driven robots that don’t need breaks, don’t call in sick, and can always work with precision 24/7. The argument for this has been that machines can perform everything from assembling products to inspecting them, with greater consistency and fewer breaks and errors than human workers.
In the days when people questioned, ‘When will AI replace jobs?’, assembly line workers were the first to get the answer to that. Ironically, some assembly line jobs have now transitioned to new roles in automation.
5. Bank Tellers
With the emergence of online banking, AI-powered financial tools, and mobile transactions, traditional bank tellering roles are rapidly vanishing. These systems have let customers completely bypass the need to interact with human bank tellers, making it one of the jobs most likely to be replaced by AI completely by 2030.
6. Cashiers and Retail Workers
What began with simple self-checkout aisles and systems in supermarkets has now evolved into fully automated payment technologies, meaning the need for human cashiers in grocery stores, fast food restaurants, and retail outlets has become less than necessary.
When answering, ‘What jobs will AI replace?’, cashiers and retail workers are at the top of the list. That’s because when a company introduces self-checkout areas, it benefits from a cost-benefit analysis.
And ironically, even though allowing customers to scan their items increases the instances of theft, companies still prefer this as it saves them money by reducing the need for cashiers.
7. Administrative and Virtual Assistants
A once lucrative job, administrative and virtual human assistants have seen a sudden and rapid shift in their job market.
More and more companies and clients are steering towards AI-powered scheduling tools and virtual AI assistants like Siri or Google Assistant to save time and money. A human virtual assistant’s tasks, like scheduling, email management, and document organization, have all been taken over by AI and machine learning.
Traditional admin roles are one of the jobs most likely to be replaced by AI completely in the upcoming years as AI models improve human aspects of the role, like relationship-building, problem-solving, and personalized service.
8. Bookkeepers and Accountants
Another instance of AI replacing jobs is bookkeeping. Many companies now prefer using automation and AI instead of hiring accountants and bookkeepers to get the job done.
For AI models, the tasks of data entry and record-keepin,g or even analyzing financial records and providing strategic planning are tasks that can now be done more accurately and efficiently. This is because AI-powered bookkeeping and accounting services provide an efficient accounting system and also the flexibility and security that most companies require, all without human intervention.
Considering the fact that they are available as cloud-based services, both bookkeeping and accounting are jobs AI will replace sooner or later. Using an AI accounting service is also significantly less costly than paying an employee’s salary to do the same job.
9. Receptionists
People are increasingly interacting with robots at the reception of their hotels, airports, and even healthcare facilities.
The majority of companies and industries across the world are now using robots at their reception since they are able to handle managing calls, booking rooms or flights, scheduling, and visitor check-ins among many other things.
In a world where we prefer rapid service, businesses prioritize the round-the-clock availability of AI models, which humans cannot keep up with, especially when dealing with high volumes of routine inquiries. This makes receptionist roles one of those jobs that come up when we ask ‘What jobs will AI take over by 2030?’
10. Taxi and Delivery Drivers
Self-driving cars and drones have been all the rage in recent times. Combine that with AI-powered logistics, and you have AI replacing jobs of taxi and delivery drivers.
In the early days of AI, when people would ask ‘What types of jobs will AI affect the most?’, delivery and truck drivers never even came up. Now, however, these are some of the most vulnerable jobs due to the creation of AI-powered robots being developed by companies like Tesla, Uber and Starship Technologies.
There are self-driving trucks that are reshaping long-haul transportation and reducing the need for human drivers to transport cargo. Companies and customers alike also prefer the autonomous taxis that are becoming increasingly popular, both for their cost-effectiveness and their security.
11. Proofreaders and Translators
We’ve all heard of or used AI-powered tools like Grammarly and DeepL, which are now increasingly replacing human proofreaders and translators by providing instant, high-quality grammar corrections and translations at virtually no cost.
Proofreading and translation AI replacing jobs is now steadily on the rise because many of their tasks can now be done by advanced editing software.
Most online writing platforms and tools have built-in AI-powered grammar checkers and style editors, which can spot errors in text faster than humans can. And if this wasn’t enough, these AI models are constantly being updated to recognize more and more complex language patterns, making them a practical choice for companies looking to cut down on costs.
Even though human editors will still be needed for complex tasks and most importantly in the book writing industry, proofreading and translating are on the list of what jobs will AI replace in future.
12. Paralegals and Legal Assistants
AI-powered legal research tools can now perform tasks that once required extensive human effort and analysis.
By 2030, legal assistants and paralegals are jobs most likely to be replaced by AI because of these features. From analyzing contracts, reviewing case law and drafting legal documents to predicting case outcomes, AI models are continuously being trained to perform these tasks with increasing accuracy in the legal field.
Gone are the days of loads of paperwork tasks for human paralegals and legal assistants, with AI replacing jobs in this field. However, human oversight is still needed, especially in complex legal matters that require judgment and negotiation skills.
13. Radiologists and Medical Image Analysts
Jobs that AI will replace also extend to the medical field. AI systems like IBM Watson and Google’s DeepMind can now analyze medical images, detect any anomalies, and assist doctors in diagnosing diseases with greater accuracy and efficiency than human radiologists.
Many healthcare facilities are now adopting AI medical image analysts to scan thousands of X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans in a fraction of the time that it would normally take a human doctor.
While these AI models enhance diagnostic precision, human radiologists are still needed in some cases for interpreting ambiguous cases and making final decisions. That being said, the integration of AI in radiology is leading to a shift where human doctors will work alongside AI rather than being completely replaced for the time being. In this regard, it becomes a question of ‘When will AI replace jobs in the radiology sector?’ rather than ‘Will AI take over jobs in radiology?’.
Conclusion
From the old debate of ‘When will AI replace jobs?’ to the more recent ‘What jobs will be replaced by AI?’, the workforce across all industries has felt the effects of an AI-driven world and will continue to do so. Those in lower-skill level jobs have seen these effects sooner than most of us, with AI replacing jobs of almost everyone, from taxi drivers to accountants. If your job involves repetitive and routine tasks, now is the time to upskill to stay ahead of the shift.
At Devace Technologies, we closely observe how this impacts the job market along with creating opportunities. We’ve seen how, despite assembly line workers losing their jobs to robots, newer opportunities opened for them in the form of technical jobs and overseeing automation. That being said, AI isn’t inherently good or bad; its impact depends on how we use it and how prepared we are for the changes it will bring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs are most likely to be replaced by AI?
Any type of role that involves routine and repetitive tasks is most likely to be replaced by AI. Telemarketers, data entry clerks, factory workers, receptionists, proofreaders, and paralegals are just some of the jobs most at risk of being replaced by AI.
How many jobs will AI replace by 2030?
The predictions for this will vary, but AI replacing jobs could automate tasks that account for up to 30% of hours currently worked in the U.S. economy.
How will AI affect jobs and the economy?
AI will displace many workers, but it will also create new roles in different tech, AI maintenance, and creative fields. The key is to be prepared for the shift, as the need for workers who can develop, manage, and collaborate with AI will increase significantly by 2030.
What types of jobs will AI affect the most?
Jobs with repetitive, structured tasks are most vulnerable, while roles requiring human intuition, creativity, and emotional intelligence are safer.
Which jobs are safe from AI?
Professions that require deep human connection—such as therapists, healthcare providers, educators, and creative professionals—are less likely to be replaced.
Will AI replace programmers?
AI can assist in coding and debugging, but it’s not advanced enough to replace programmers entirely. Developers who learn to work with AI tools will stay in demand.
Understanding what jobs AI will take over and preparing accordingly can help future-proof your career. The question isn’t if AI will change your industry—it’s how you’ll adapt to the change.
