AI is coming for these jobs, says Anthropic Cofounder Jack Clark; know if your job is at risk
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global job market at an unprecedented pace, with many roles across various industries facing potential disruption. However, not all jobs are equally vulnerable to automation. Jack Clark, the cofounder of AI company Anthropic, recently discussed the kinds of jobs he believes will be least impacted by AI during an insightful conversation on the podcast ‘Conversations with Tyler’, hosted by economist Tyler Cowen.Clark’s perspective provides valuable insights into the types of professions that may remain resilient in the face of rapid technological change. His analysis covers a wide range of sectors, including skilled trades, relationship-driven office jobs, and healthcare, highlighting the complex factors that determine a job’s vulnerability to automation.
Warning: Jobs that could be replaced by AI soon, are you safe?
Skilled trades: The resilience of personal craftsmanship
Clark emphasized that certain hands-on, artisanal trades are likely to remain relatively safe from AI disruption due to their unique reliance on human craftsmanship, creativity, and the personal touch that machines often struggle to replicate. These roles typically involve a blend of physical skill, technical knowledge, and personalized service that makes them difficult to automate effectively.1. High-skill trades
Electricians and plumbers: Clark pointed out that roles like electricians and plumbers are less likely to be replaced by AI due to the hands-on, problem-solving nature of their work. These trades require precise manual skills, an understanding of complex systems, and the ability to adapt to unpredictable work environments, all of which are challenging for AI to master.
Carpenters and metalworkers: Like electricians, these trades often involve custom work tailored to specific customer needs, requiring a high level of dexterity and practical judgment.
2. Aesthetic and personalised services
Gardeners and landscapers: Clark specifically highlighted gardening as a prime example of a job that benefits from the human touch. This work often involves creative design, aesthetic judgment, and a deep understanding of plant biology and local environmental conditions, making it challenging for AI to replicate.
Artisanal craft workers: Roles like pottery, painting, and furniture making also fall into this category, where the individuality and artistic flair of the creator are highly valued by consumers.
Office-based roles: The importance of human connections
While many routine office tasks are increasingly being automated, Clark believes that certain white-collar roles will remain relatively insulated from AI due to their reliance on trust-based human relationships and complex interpersonal interactions.1. High-level sales and client management
Relationship-driven commerce: Clark noted that people often prefer to conduct significant financial transactions or business deals with other humans rather than algorithms. This preference for personal interaction is particularly strong in high-stakes, high-value markets, where trust and rapport are critical.
Capital-intensive sales roles: Jobs involving large pools of capital, like investment banking, corporate finance, and real estate, are less likely to be fully automated, as these roles often depend on deep personal connections and nuanced human judgment.
2. Creative and strategic work
Marketing and public relations: These roles often involve crafting compelling narratives, understanding complex cultural trends, and building long-term client relationships, making them less susceptible to full automation.
Human resources and talent management: These jobs require empathy, intuition, and a deep understanding of human behavior, qualities that AI currently struggles to replicate.
Healthcare: The human element in medical care
Clark also touched on the complex role of AI in healthcare, highlighting the significant barriers to full automation in this critical field. Despite the growing capabilities of AI in medical diagnostics and patient care, human healthcare professionals remain essential for several reasons.1. Trust and human judgment
Professional oversight in medicine: Clark stressed that while AI can assist in routine diagnostics and patient monitoring, critical medical decisions still require the judgment and expertise of trained doctors. This is partly due to the ethical and legal implications of medical errors, which can have life-altering consequences.
Emotional support and patient communication: Many healthcare roles involve providing emotional support and reassurance to patients, an area where human doctors and nurses excel.
2. Regulatory and privacy challenges
Data privacy concerns: Clark noted that data privacy laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, significantly restrict the use of AI in healthcare. These regulations are designed to protect sensitive patient information, creating a major barrier to widespread AI adoption.
Liability and risk management: The potential for medical malpractice lawsuits also limits the extent to which healthcare providers can rely on AI for critical decision-making. Clark cited his own experience as a parent, mentioning that while he might consult an AI assistant like Claude for quick reassurance about his child’s health, he would never substitute it for professional medical advice.
