What Jobs will there be once AI is established?

[MrsPatmore]

After reading yet another depressing article today about the prospects for graduates (they’re not good), I’m left wondering what advice I can give to my dc and nephews re; future proof jobs. Both are luckily numerate and interested in science but what jobs can I steer them towards to earn a healthy income? Neither want to do law which I hear is already susceptible to AI takeover at the lower ranks. Social work/caring is worthy but lower end pay.

What are all the really bright graduates going into?

Midwifery or nursing may be a good choice. I can’t see robots delivering babies.

Avoid surgery and medical - diagnosis and surgery will be done by remote AI robotics in future.

I would say anything trade based is pretty immune from AI takeover.

Carpentry, construction, plumbers etc. Large building firms will always need graduate level managers i suspect. but maybe more likely to get those via apprentice ships rather than traditional uni courses?

AI software developer.

Engineering.

Cybersecurity

My DC are both bright but I will definitely not be steering them towards jobs that they arent interested in. However unless they show exceptional talent I will be strongly suggesting they avoid creative industries. I think hands on building trades (brickie, carpenter, plumber etc) will still be well paid for those who put the effort in.

nursing and midwifery graduates are not getting jobs now

Yes, shocked that nursing and midwifery and medicine graduates are struggling to get jobs but, presumably, that’s not because of AI but other factors?

AI software engineer woukd be a good call but today’s article specifically said even tech hires are reducing.

There must be jobs where they make the tech hardware/chips (I’m sure you can tell I’m not technical hence needing advice)? Or something to do with the science behind it all. Ds feels it’s too late to go into a trade as he is second year of a science degree.

I have a relative who just trained as a doctor. She managed to get a job, but I heard it's very tough and competitive, not many places. And this while we're struggling to book appointments at the GP.

Honestly? Don't borrow trouble. I doubt that AI will make nearly as many inroads as predicted.

All but the top softwear developers are under threat-
Amazon US made a load of mid range developers redundant last week. So you have to be really top notch in that career to stay in a job
AI can write most basic code now, including a lot of engineering systems code. What AI is not good at is innovative stuff like solving unusual engineering problems or adapting to systems already partially in place. A human is still needed for that. Having good IT skills but also being mobile and hands on makes you more employable

I would recommend them considering going for degree apprenticeships if they're into STEM. It means they don't get any debt, will earn a wage and may well have a job at the end of it - and if not then they have a few years experience. DS is doing one in software engineering, he's not currently worried about AI as it's not secure and he's not allowed to use it where he works.

I think there would always be a need for the hands-on jobs - plumbers, builders, carpenters gardeners, electricians, tree surgeons, mechanics, blacksmiths, hospitality etc.

Anything you use your hands for.

In fact I have thought for a long time that we have lost a lot of our basic skill sets. Could we build Westminster Abbey today using only the tools available 700 years ago? I suspect not.

It would be good to see some of the trades make a comeback.

Ds is currently in university doing a humanities degree, but he's going to do a plumbing and heating course once he's graduated. He knows he won't get a graduate role and wants to do something that'll be needed in the future. We'll have to pay for the training tuition, but it'll be worth it.

I think the biggest issue is there will be a lot more competition for the jobs/sectors left, so im not sure they would remain as well paid.

But currently there are shortages in construction.

Yep: AI can’t build a building for you.

Not yet, amyway.

There are far too many grey areas in medicine for this to be conceivable. AI software will assist doctors, yes, but - as one myself - I’m not remotely concerned about being replaced.

Absolutely none - none at all. AI will do all the jobs.

Except for serving customers in shops, teaching our children, fixing our broken bodies, repairing our roads, collecting our bins, cooking our food in restaurants, dealing with customer complaints, looking after old people in homes, repairing our cars, cleaning our windows, cutting our hair, preaching to us in church, judging and defending criminals in court, looking after our animals........

I'm old enough to remember working in an office before computers. Then computers came along and everyone worried that they would replace humans, but it didn't happen. In fact computers created more work for humans.

The thing is, if AI really does destroy a huge number of jobs, there will be loads of people wanting to work in manual trades (plumber, gardener, electrician etc) so there’ll be big competition and wages will reduce. And who will be paying them? If huge number of people lose their jobs, they aren’t hiring gardeners, they aren’t getting new bathrooms, they’re doing necessary house repairs only.

So really you need a job that can’t be done by AI, and is essential public sector so unaffected by wider job losses. I’d vote midwife for that (although large scale job losses will reduce the number of babies born I guess). But that won’t be immune to lots of people going for the same jobs, so you’ll still have that issue.

So it’s probably not worth worrying about.

AI can’t even work out the correct numbers of error in a bunch of computer code. Well no where near as much as an experienced human can, AI is a moron.

If your son is bright, scientific, able to adapt, has social and emotional skills. Willing to work. He will work it out. His university should be able to advise.

Secondary schools are crying out for science teachers, especially physics, especially male.

He needs to talk to his university, they will be in a much better position to advise, they want their graduates in jobs it’s helps their “brand”.

Pretty much every job that exists now will still be there in 30 years time. AI is not going to take over or destroy the world. Don't let the scaremongering click bait articles scare you. People said the same when the Internet/email/robots/etc were invented. Things change and move on slightly, they don't collapse.

Lots of ideas here for scientists across many sectors. Shortage profession, crying out for a sustainable new intake, well paid, God working conditions.

https://srp-uk.org/careers-and-registration/career-information

Expertise will always be needed to cut through the plausible sounding nonsense that AI comes up with.

Food science and technology - there will always be jobs in this area.

Someone I know has qualified as a doctor and a good number have jobs in New Zealand sorted out as a recruitment team have taken on a good number of newly qualified doctors. The team will help with a flat for the young doctors and are offering long contracts. It made me feel annoyed and sad but if things are handled for them I have to agree that it is better for them than worrying over their first contract. More foolish ways from NHS who seem to be making it a hard task for newly qualified doctors trying to secure their future.