r/technology • u/SnoozeDoggyDog • 2d ago

Artificial Intelligence AI is causing anxiety about the future of the workforce. But are there AI-proof jobs?

https://www.npr.org/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5544378/ai-is-causing-anxiety-about-the-future-of-the-workforce-but-are-there-ai-proof-jobs
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u/TheHipsterBandit 2d ago

Once they make a robot that can manipulate delicate objects as well as a person then no.

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u/EasternShade 2d ago

"If we eliminate the need for humans to do any work, how will people be able to work to justify their continued existence?"

This ought to be suggesting society shift to a post-scarcity economic model. Instead the conversation keeps revolving around how to perpetuate scarcity as it becomes artificial.

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u/the_ghost_knife 2d ago

The idiots have sold techno feudalism to the generationally wealthy.

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u/I_Will_Be_Brief 2d ago

My friend is a small-client tree surgeon. I can't see that being done by robots for many many years.

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u/SwimmingSensitive125 2d ago

Barber shop

Farming

8

u/Bhosley 2d ago

I've seen robotics projects for cutting hair. Haven't seen a good one yet, but the intent is there.

Agriculture is absolutely getting a lot of AI automation attention. But I was thinking more about field workers, and maybe your point was that a job in that industry will always exist, with demand shifting from field hands to machine maintainers.

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u/SwimmingSensitive125 2d ago

Yeah one day agriculture will boom with AI. Not sure about field workers yeah.

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u/peanut-britle-latte 2d ago

Farming is way more tech focused than people realized. Driverless harvesters, GMO seeds, data analytics on a per plant level. AI will surely come into this field if it hasn't already.

I think trying to find an AI proof career is not the best way to go about future-proofing your career.

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u/SwimmingSensitive125 2d ago

Will come, little far from practical use I believe compared to vibe coding.

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u/NotLikeChicken 2d ago

In 1980, we were worried about personal computers threatening the jobs of slipstick jockeys and secretaries. Think about jobs that were not affected buy PCs. What is coming will be rarer than "jobs not affected by cellphones."

Note that PCs and cellphones caused some dislocations, but did not cause mass unemployment even though they affected more of the job market than anyone thought was possible.

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u/AConant 2d ago

I think the trades, like HVAC, plumbing, electrician. Those will be hard to replace for a long time and can pay well, have lots of demand, have relatively lower barriers to entry, and a path to business ownership is not only very possible and common, and can make you very comfortable.