According to a new paper from Microsoft Research, the rise of AI is poised to dramatically alter the job market, with 40 specific professions identified as being most at risk. While a senior researcher from the team emphasizes that AI is meant to “change how work is done, not take away or replace jobs,” the data shows a clear path for automation that could lead to widespread job reductions in a variety of fields.

The study, which analyzed over 200,000 anonymized interactions with Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot, created an “AI applicability score” for different occupations. This score measures the overlap between a job’s tasks and what AI is capable of doing.

The 40 Jobs Most Impacted by AI

The professions most at risk are largely those that revolve around information, communication, and content creation—tasks that large language models (LLMs) excel at. The list includes many white-collar roles that have traditionally been seen as secure.

Some of the professions with the highest AI applicability scores include:

  • Interpreters and Translators
  • Writers and Authors
  • News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
  • Customer Service Representatives
  • Editors and Proofreaders
  • Data Scientists
  • Personal Financial Advisors
  • Web Developers
  • Models

The presence of roles like journalists, editors, and even models on this list shows just how much AI can already handle tasks such as drafting articles, editing text, and generating imagery with a simple command. This is particularly concerning given that Microsoft itself has reportedly laid off thousands of employees this year while prioritizing its AI growth.

The 40 Jobs Least Impacted by AI

On the other side of the spectrum, the research identified 40 jobs that are currently considered “safe” from AI. These roles typically require a hands-on, physical presence, human-to-human interaction, or the operation of complex machinery. These are tasks that text-based AI cannot perform.

Some of the jobs with the lowest AI applicability scores include:

  • Dredge Operators
  • Surgical Assistants
  • Massage Therapists
  • Roofers
  • Phlebotomists
  • Nursing Assistants
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • Highway Maintenance Workers
  • Dishwashers
  • Logging Equipment Operators

While these roles appear secure for now, the study’s authors caution that this is based on current AI capabilities. They note that advancements in robotics could eventually extend automation to these physical professions as well.

The study serves as a clear warning about the transformative power of AI. While the technology may offer opportunities for increased productivity and new careers, it’s also set to create significant disruption.