Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept —it is already influencing industries, transforming economies, and redefining the global workforce. According to recent research by Elevate, the next five years could represent one of the largest shifts in the workforce in history, with almost 30% of all jobs around the globe being at risk of automation from AI, by 2030.
This study examined 26 job titles in numerous sectors, and aggregated data from projected job growth, the likelihood of automation, and GPT-5 risk estimates. The output was an AI-only risk score, ranking jobs by those that are most likely to be fully automated within the next decade.
The results are shocking: 95% of data entry clerks will be replaced; 94% chance of being replaced for telemarketers; and even a profession that previously seemed “safe,” such as legal assistants shows significant risk at 88% chance of being replaced.
The results raise important questions: what jobs are the most at risk? Why are some jobs more replaceable than others? How do workers, businesses, and policymakers prepare for a changing labour market?
Why are some jobs more at risk than others?
Not all jobs are equally vulnerable to AI. The study identified three main factors behind automation risk:
Task Repetition and Rule-Bound Processes- Jobs that require strict rules, involved large batch data, or very repetitive actions are highly susceptible to automation. AI can execute these jobs with speed, accuracy and scale.
Projected Market Demand– This may seem rather obvious, but it should be presumed that if there is no demand for the job already (i.e. clerical and cashier roles that have decreased relative to uptick in digitization and e-commerce), then automation will clearly accelerate that decline.
Human-Centred Skill- Jobs that require human empathy, thinking skills, judgment, or strategic thinking are the least likely to be automated. While AI might be able to recreate efficiency, it cannot recreate human nuance…yet.
The top jobs at risk of AI Automation by 2030
Here is a look at the top 10 jobs at risk of going AI-only by 2030 based on Elevate’s analysis.
1. Data entry clerks – 95% risk, AI-Only: 100
Automation risk: 95%
Projected job growth: -25%
GPT-5 estimation: 95%
Data entry clerks rank #1 with an AI only risk score of 100. The work involves all manual tasks of entering, verifying and organizing the data. This is the most commonly replaced with the use of AI-powered software.
This role also has shrinking demand. The number of data entry jobs could shrink by 25% by 2030, the sharpest decline of any clerical title.
2. Telemarketers – 94% risk, AI-Only: 92
Automation risk: 94%
Projected job growth: -21.5%
GPT-5 estimation: 85%
Telemarketers also near the edge of extinction, as AI chatbots and natural language processing tools can now do outbound calls as well as personalize their sales pitch and dynamically respond to human objections.
With job growth projected at -21%, human telemarketers may not be here when automated telemarketing becomes the norm.
3. Cashiers – 93% risk, AI-Only: 79
Automation risk: 93%
Projected job growth: -10.6%
GPT-5 estimation: 75%
Self-service checkouts, digital wallets, and automated payment solutions such as vending machines are becoming more and more common. As eCommerce continues to dominate retail, cashiers will continue losing significance.
Niche retail opportunities exist for people in the role, but overall job growth is projected to decrease by 11% over the next five years.
4. Receptionists – 91% Risk, AI Only Score: 71
Automation Risk: 91%
Projected Job Growth: -0.5%
GPT-5 Estimation: 80%
Functioning as a virtual assistant, an AI booking platform, and facilitated by a chatbot solution, the automating of a receptionist is underway.
While job growth (-0.5%) is extremely marginal, there is still a very high level of automation risk leading to many organisations opting for various forms of AI at the front desk over time.
5. Billing Clerks – 89% Risk, AI Only Score: 69
Automation Risk: 89%
Projected Job Growth: +0.5%
GPT-5 Estimation: 80%
Billing clerks, are very susceptible to automation due to accounting software, AI-led invoicing platforms, and robotic process automation (RPA). Although, projected job growth (+0.5%) is showing a very small positive growth projection, there seems to be a role where AI uses heavy lifting but the process still requires people to act as moderators.
6. Legal Assistants – 88% Risk, AI Only Score: 66
Automation Risk: 88%
Projected Job Growth: +1.2%
GPT-5 Estimation: 75%
Many in the profession will be surprised to see legal assistants on this list. Conducting legal research, drafting material, and case preparation are very much getting support from AI.
Whereas, the AI solution, legal research software, can read case law faster than the brightest junior associate… its largely contract review work that has evolved via the automation of the review/update process.
Projected growth of +1.2% may sound low but according to the high risk of automation, demonstrates the continued future use of humans.
7. Administrative Assistants – 83% Risk, AI-Only Score: 66
Automation Risk: 83%
Projected Job Growth: -0.3%
GPT-5 Estimation: 80%
Administrative assistants perform scheduling, correspondence, and record-keeping—all functions where AI-driven productivity tools excel.
With GPT-powered email automation and smart scheduling apps, this once-essential office role faces increasing replacement pressure.
8. Proofreaders – 85% Risk, AI-Only Score: 65
AI writing assistants such as Grammarly and editing software are making proofreader roles less essential. While human nuance in editing remains valuable, the majority of grammar, syntax, and clarity checks are now handled seamlessly by AI.
The industry is already shrinking, with job growth expected to fall by 3.4% by 2030.
9. Production Workers – 89% Risk, AI-Only Score: 65
Automation Risk: 89%
Projected Job Growth: +0.6%
GPT-5 Estimation: 70%
Automation in manufacturing—through robotics, AI-driven assembly lines, and smart quality control—is reducing the demand for human production workers.
However, unlike clerical roles, the +0.6% job growth projection suggests some demand for humans will remain in supervisory and maintenance capacities.
10. Customer Service Representatives – 76% Risk, AI-Only Score: 62
Automation Risk: 76%
Projected Job Growth: -5%
GPT-5 Estimation: 75%
AI chatbots and virtual assistants are now handling first-line customer support across industries. While complex or escalated cases may still require human empathy, routine queries are increasingly automated.
With job growth projected to fall by 5%, customer service is one of the most visible examples of AI reshaping an industry.
Essential findings from the study
Clerical and support roles are most at risk for job displacement. Data entry, billing, and administrative jobs may disappear entirely.
Customer-facing roles are changing. Telemarketers, cashiers, and customer service representatives are more easily replaced by AI platforms.
Even specialized roles are not immune: Legal assistants and proofreaders are examples of how AI is moving beyond just repetitive tasks.
Hybrid roles will develop: While automation may eliminate jobs, workforce opportunities will grow in AI monitoring, strategy, and integrations.
Implications for workers
Elliott Mueller, CEO of Elevate, shared the following thoughts on the findings:
“AI technology is advancing rapidly, transforming jobs and the workforce, especially jobs that involve repetitive tasks. Automation may provide many advantages, however, it is also going to be a huge challenge for millions of people that could be displaced from their jobs. Companies and governments need to urgently focus on reskilling and offer meaningful pathways for workers to transition to jobs in which human skills are still required.”
Getting ready for an AI-Driven workforce
The changes that are to come do not require an apocalypse, yet they do require preparation. In time, workers, employers, and governments must take action now to limit the risks of displacement and to realize the potential of AI.
For Workers
-
Invest in Reskilling: Upskill in digital literacy, data analysis, and AI collaboration.
-
Focus on Human-Centric Skills: Creativity, problem-solving, empathy, and leadership are harder for AI to replicate.
-
Stay Flexible: Embrace hybrid roles where AI assists rather than replaces.
For Businesses
-
Adopt Responsible AI: Use AI to enhance productivity, not just cut costs.
-
Support Employee Transition: Offer training and redeployment opportunities.
-
Balance Efficiency and Humanity: Customer interactions often still require empathy.
For Policymakers
-
Strengthen Labour Protections: Create safety nets for displaced workers.
-
Invest in Education: Ensure schools prepare students for an AI-driven economy.
-
Encourage Innovation: Foster industries where human creativity remains central.
Conclusion: The future of work is now
There is potential for up to 30% of all jobs (over 9 million) to be transformed by AI by 2030, with elimination of clerical, support, and customer-facing jobs at risk of the greatest displacement. The Elevate study highlights urgency in reskilling workers, developing policies, and innovating to set AI as a partner rather than replacement.
The question is no longer if AI will reshape the workforce—it already is. The real challenge is how society adapts to ensure opportunity, dignity, and security in an AI-driven future.
Source: Elevate Research (2025)
