Jobs most at risk of being replaced by AI

Is artificial intelligence coming for your job? Here’s what a new report from LinkedIn has found. (Source: AAP)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to change the world of work as we know it, with a new report revealing the jobs that could be most under threat.

LinkedIn’s Global Future of Work Report analysed some of the most common occupations on the platform to see which skills could be augmented by generative AI technologies, including ChatGPT, and which skills could only be done by humans.

Software engineers were found to be the most at risk, with 96 per cent of the job’s top skills able to be augmented by AI, including Jenkins, Docker Products, AngularJS, TypeScript and Git skills.

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Customer service representatives were next on the list, with AI able to provide greater productivity for 76 per cent of the occupation’s skills, including phone etiquette, typing and customer support.

Next on the list were more customer-facing roles, including salesperson (59 per cent of skills, including cold calling, retail sales and sales processes) and cashier (59 per cent of skills, including food service planning and merchandising).

However, LinkedIn noted these jobs did still require a human touch, with skills like stocking, waiting tables and hospitality services needing to be performed by humans.

AI risk for common jobs

Here were the percentage of skills potentially augmentable by generative AI:

1. Software Engineer - 96 per cent

2. Customer service rep - 76 per cent

3. Salesperson - 59 per cent

4. Cashier - 59 per cent

5. Teacher - 45 per cent

6. Event manager - 39 per cent

7. Project manager - 28 per cent

8. Childcare provider - 20 per cent

9. Construction specialist - 11 per cent

10. Driver - 9 per cent

11. Medical doctor - 7 per cent

12. Nurse - 6 per cent

13. Environmental health safety specialist - 3 per cent

14. Oil field operator - 1 per cent

Soft skills becoming more important

Around 57 per cent of Aussie executives agreed that using generative AI would increase productivity, while 54 per cent said they were planning to increase their use of AI at their organisation in the next year.

At the same time, LinkedIn found most business leaders were emphasising the importance of soft skills alongside more technical ones.

Nearly three-quarters of Aussie executives said soft skills, such as creativity and problem solving, were more valuable to their organisation than AI skills. Meanwhile, 64 per cent of Aussie professionals agreed soft skills were more important than ever.

“This underscores that AI cannot replace qualities like creativity and emotional intelligence,” LinkedIn Australia managing director Matt Tindale said.

“For individuals aiming to remain relevant in the job market, it's important to consider enhancing soft skills and ensuring the ability to complement new AI technology with human insight.”

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