Which professionals can feel more secure and how is the job market shaping up in the new era of artificial intelligence?
The debate about the future of the job market in the age of artificial intelligence is heating up like never before, but a recent study by Microsoft changes the narrative: not all workers are equally exposed to the changes brought about by AI. On the contrary, professions such as masseurs, laundresses, roofers and heavy machinery operators seem to remain in the safe zone, while highly specialized roles are more at risk from the digital revolution brought about by large language models.
If you think about it, until a few years ago, most people believed that advances in technology would mainly threaten manual professions. However, according to a new analysis published on arXiv, the landscape is very different. Microsoft researchers studied more than 200.000 anonymous user conversations with Microsoft Bing Copilot (which is based on ChatGPT technology) and assessed the “vulnerability” of each profession, analyzing how often and how successfully AI is integrated into the daily lives of each industry.
The result is clear: those engaged in manual, low-wage jobs can feel a little more comfortable about their future. Professions like masseurs and laundresses, which rely on human contact, physical presence and movements that cannot be replicated by robots or algorithms, are considered – at least for now – almost “bulletproof” from the consequences of automation.
In contrast, positions related to providing information, writing, teaching and consulting, according to the study, are much more vulnerable. The list of threatened professions includes translators, salespeople, writers, historians and customer service employees – professions that rely mainly on information processing and communication, something that AI is learning to do better and better.
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It is worth noting that, according to the authors of the study, artificial intelligence cannot yet take over all the activities of a profession – at least not to the extent that it directly threatens every job. There are many tasks that require creativity, human judgment, or subtle social skills, and these remain the “human advantage”. Also, the technology does not touch every profession in the same way, as the uses of AI vary depending on the sector, the company and the personal needs of each professional.
Another important point is how the “threat” of AI is interpreted: the Microsoft team sees not only risks, but also opportunities for the creation of entirely new professions. It gives as an example ATMs that, although they replaced part of the work of cashiers, ultimately led to an increase in jobs, as bank branches became more numerous and employees focused more on communicating with the customer.
This change affects not only those who are already working, but also young people who are preparing to enter the job market. How does one choose a profession when everything is changing at such a pace? The secret is to invest in skills that AI cannot copy: social intelligence, manual dexterity, creativity and flexibility. Those who stay informed and constantly train will have a clear advantage.
Of course, there are skeptics. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman himself recently warned that many professions, such as customer service, may disappear completely in the near future. The speed at which the landscape is changing has many worried about what a “safe” profession really means.
But as changes rage on, there are some things that remain constant: humans will never stop needing human contact, care, creativity, and innovation. Masseurs, lingerie makers, craftsmen, professions that rely on personal interaction and physical skills, seem to hold on tightly – at least for now.
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Microsoft's study opens a new chapter in the discussion about the future of work. It reminds us that technological leaps are not something to be feared, but to be understood and utilized properly. The professionals who will survive and stand out are those who adapt, constantly learn, and do not rest on yesterday's knowledge.
One thing is certain: the world of work is changing rapidly, with artificial intelligence becoming our daily companion – sometimes a threat, sometimes an ally. And as masseurs and lingerie designers continue to do their jobs without worrying about AI, let's see technology as an opportunity for evolution and not just as an adversary.
