In this day and age, it’s not just a matter of knowing how many jobs have been replaced by technology. Rather, we look into how these jobs will transform and adapt to the changing times.
As cited by Techjury, a PwC analysis found that by the mid-2030s, up to 30% of jobs could be automatable. In addition to that, 37% of workers worry that they’ll lose their jobs due to automation. In another citation by Techjury, a report from the World Economic Forum predicts that even if automation might mean the loss of approximately 75 million jobs, there will also be 133 million new jobs created as a result of the added machine workforce.
That said, it’s important to remember that even if there are jobs already replaced by technology, we also have to be on the lookout for the future of other career paths. Here are 5 categories of occupations that have a high risk of being labeled as the near future’s “jobs lost to technology.” Further, learn about how you can pivot your career path and adapt to a world where the way we work starts to shift.
1. Supply chain jobs
Jobs in this field have a high risk of being displaced by artificial intelligence (AI) advances, zooming in on particular occupations in the logistics and supply chain management industries. Some examples of such jobs are supply, distribution, and related managers. It’s also worth mentioning that the changes being brought by digitalization affect distribution centers and offices as well as retail floors.
This is due to how the Internet of Things (IoT) and other software applications reduce the need for some administrative and clerical roles. Likewise, such technologies are replacing some jobs in the accounting and order entry positions. Further, high-level simulation and optimization cause reduced lead times in the logistics industry, displacing the need for more professionals in charge of this aspect.
On the other hand, robots, AI, and machine learning are being maximized to perform inventory, movement of goods, and automate basic paperwork. With predictive analytics, these tasks can then be added to by automating demand and inventory planning.
2. Real estate jobs
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than half of collapsing occupations in real estate includes real estate agents and managers. With the nature of the tasks they perform, their duties can then be conducted virtually, without the need for brokers to be physically present, and using online real estate platforms.
As cited by UpNest, some examples of the tasks that can now be automated are the following:
- Home searches
- Home value estimates
- Property showings
- Researching neighborhoods
Likewise, AiRE lists some tasks that are considered the easiest to automate:
- Monitoring market conditions and trends
- Preparing sales quotes and other contracts
- Filing financial documents, reports, and budgets
- Organizing forms and applications
3. Bookkeeping and data entry jobs
These days, many companies consider introducing AI and machine learning into the overall product cycle when it comes to bookkeeping and data entry.
Also, there are a lot of benefits that companies enjoy when they have their bookkeeping and data entry processes automated. Automated data capture enables them to streamline their workflows, process forms and documents quickly, and accommodate higher volumes of data as business activity continues to increase. Reduced human error is also a huge factor, eliminating the risk of distractions, keystroke errors, and other mistakes brought about by manual data entry. Hence, companies will gain more accurate data, key to making better decisions toward business success.
Lastly, another major advantage of automating bookkeeping and data entry jobs is the lower overall costs. With the accelerated processing speed and the reduction of human error, optimal operational efficiency can be achieved.
4. Retail services
Automation solutions have replaced and transformed the way people do sales and retail. With various merchants considering self-ordering and payment options, it’s undeniable how AI will play a key role as well.
In fact, robots are performing retailer tasks in a lot of shopping conglomerates in order to understand consumer behavior and patterns. In addition to that, advanced data analyses that AI machines can carry out are able to show other products and services that customers might find interesting in the future. This helps improve the overall customer experience through the power of AI and digitalization.
5. Drivers
Today’s drivers face the risk of being replaced by self-driving cars. With the power of algorithms to make routes more efficient, the need to reduce the number of vehicles and drivers has the potential to grow.
It’s also key to note that some other vehicles are already gaining the ability to drive themselves, and this development is coming fast. One example is when Tesla wanted to test trucks without a human backup driver aboard. This and other tests and experiments made within the past years suggest that we are further along in the transformation era than most observers have thought.
Foolproof Tips on How You Can Pivot Your Career
Now that we learned that even if there are jobs lost to technology, automation and digitalization simultaneously create new ones. If you’re considering the option of pivoting your career in the foreseeable future, heed these quick tips as early as now so that you’re already building a foundation for your next journey.
1. Learn new skills.
To guide you, here are just some of the most recommended soft skills you should learn or hone:
- Complex problem-solving skills
- Collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Creativity and innovation
Learning these skills will help equip you for what’s coming next, as these are considered transferable skills. This means that even if you shift career paths sometime in the future, you can apply your skillsets to the other jobs you want to take on.
Acquaint yourself with technology.
Digital is the future. With this, it’s best to further incorporate the use of technology into the way you do your job. Maximize the available tools that are relevant to helping you make your processes easier, and how certain software, platforms, and devices can streamline rather mundane or tedious tasks on your plate.
To conclude, socio-economic factors play a key role in shaping the overall job market. Through ample economic development, innovation, and investment, the creation of new jobs can help offset the negative side of automation. While countries, states, and organizations bear the challenge of ensuring that workers have the right skills and support to deal with the transition to newer paths, the future of work with automation and digitalization as the key drivers can be seen in a positive light given that there are initiatives in place to reduce the risk of talent shortages.
To browse other related career-related guides, check out Bossjob’s job search tips and career advice.
Comments are closed.