Generative AI is threatening a lot of jobs across various sectors, and based on a recent study, it seems that a lot of popular sectors are going to drive away humans in favour of AI applications. The study, which was conducted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), suggests that AI may take up to 40 per cent of the jobs across the world. The study brings out some concerning findings about certain roles, especially based on gender.
The arrival of AI may exhaust specific job rolesand that those held by female employees may be at more risk than men. However, the study, as reported by The Economic Times, identifies eight major job sectors that could threaten their human workforce.
1. Human Resource (HR)
The human resource category is expected to see a lot of human workers being replaced by AI. A lot of firms, like IBM, have employed AI agents to sort out CVs and check the candidate profiles, thus making it easier for recruiters to streamline processes. It is said AI agents can replace a few hundred HR roles in a company, thus ringing the alarm bells everywhere.
2. Drivers
Self-driving car technology is rapidly advancing, posing a future threat to jobs like cab drivers and delivery workers. However, in India, widespread adoption faces significant hurdles due to infrastructure, regulatory issues, and the high cost of the technology. Additionally, a Union Minister has expressed firm opposition to driverless cars, citing potential job losses, though the long-term future remains unpredictable.
3. Coding jobs
Even tech jobs are increasingly vulnerable, as low-code and no-code tools enable non-technical users to create digital solutions. This advancement lessens the need for large IT teams to handle basic software development and support tasks. Major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are already deploying AI for entry-level coding functions.
4. Cybersecurity
AI’s dual nature is evident in cybersecurity, where it aids both defense and offense. While helping security, AI is also being leveraged to carry out sophisticated cyberattacks. Reports warn that malicious actors could use AI to launch faster and more complex digital threats.
5. Sales
AI tools are increasingly handling basic sales tasks, including customer interaction, follow-ups, and data analysis. This shift, especially with the rise of online shopping, could reduce the demand for human sales staff in certain areas. Companies like Google have demonstrated AI assistants capable of managing millions of customer interactions and enhancing the online shopping experience.
6. Hospitality
Automation is fundamentally transforming operations within stores and restaurants. Self-checkout machines, cleaning robots, and automated stock management systems are reducing the need for human workers in these sectors. Examples like Decathlon and McDonald’s in India, alongside restaurants employing robot servers, highlight this growing trend.
7. Personal assistants
Routine writing tasks, such as emails, reports, and memos, are now efficiently handled by AI tools. Businesses are expected to increasingly rely on automation for day-to-day communication, saving significant time. Notably, leaders from Klarna and Zoom recently used AI-generated avatars for their earnings calls, showcasing AI’s advanced mimicry.
8. Marketing
AI is significantly assisting brands with various marketing functions, including social media posts and personalised advertisements. It also streamlines customer data tracking and other analytical tasks that previously required extensive human effort. Many of these responsibilities, once handled by entire marketing teams, are now completed much faster with AI tools.
