The Power of Automation and AI: Jobs That Will Disappear by 2030

Technology has helped humans in every way possible. Undoubtedly, technology has paved the way for more job possibilities, whether in infrastructure construction or the creation of novel tools to improve daily life. However, with technological advancements, there is also the risk that some jobs will disappear by 2030. This is primarily because of automation and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

The professional landscape is beginning to shift due to automation and AI. As computing power grows, so does AI's likelihood of eventually replacing human workers. In fact, AI is already being put to use in several sectors to streamline operations and boost productivity. This results in the workforce worrying about the long-term effects of AI on the job market.

While there are recession-proof jobs, there will still be different job types that are set to disappear by 2030 because of various factors, including automation. In this article, we will discuss some of the jobs that are at risk of becoming obsolete in the near future.

10 Jobs That Will Disappear by 2030

By 2030, automation and AI will eliminate 20 million manufacturing jobs, with 25% of American employment highly susceptible to automation. This results in 73 million job losses over the next five years.

Take a closer look at the jobs that will be gone by 2030:

1. Data Entry and Manual Data Processing Specialists

Jobs that AI and automation will impact include those that require data entry and manual data processing. Manual data entry refers to information added to or changed in a computerized database. Specialists in this field transfer data from documents such as invoices, receipts, quotes, ledgers, and product details. It’s also a safe bet when finding fixed and flexible schedule jobs.

Since technology has advanced, systems and tools can now process data and carry out operations like data entry much more quickly and accurately than human workers. As more artificial intelligence (AI) tools emerge to automate data entry, those working in this industry can anticipate its decline in the coming years.

2. Assemblers

Toys, electronics, motor vehicles, and airplanes are just some of the products that rely heavily on the work of assembly line workers. Assemblers, however, are rapidly becoming extinct as machines and robotics take over assembly processes and repetitive tasks across various industries. With the advancement of industrial robots and automation systems powered by super AI, machines can now perform repetitive tasks more efficiently and accurately. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% decline in this field from 2021 to 2031. That’s why more workers in this sector are at risk of unemployment, as this is one of the jobs that will disappear by 2030.

3. Telemarketers

Ever received unwanted sales calls offering you a product or service? You might be pleased to hear they’re one of the ten jobs that will disappear by 2030, but still, it’s not good news for actual telemarketers. Telemarketers are people whose job is to call potential customers and ask them to buy something or donate over the phone. Their responsibilities include maintaining customer contact lists, selling their services, and collecting payments when required.

With AI’s proliferation, automated sales calls become more common, thus risking human telemarketer jobs. Companies in the telemarketing industry have quickly adopted this new method because it eliminates the need for new hires and allows them to interact with potential clients at any time of day or night. In other cases, however, such as when dealing with complex negotiations or sales strategies, a human touch is still necessary.

4. Content Writers and Content Generators

With content writing, you can write anywhere and anytime you want. But how long does it take a human to write one unique page of content when it comes to any topic? Most of us need considerable time to prepare, deliberate, and carry out the required action. Writing and content creation are likely among the jobs affected by AI and automation because an AI-powered entity can execute the task in a matter of seconds. With the development of language models like ChatGPT and Jasper AI, many mundane writing tasks have become fully automated, including creating news summaries, product descriptions, blogs, and basic reports.

However, creative writing, such as fiction and poetry, and content editing and reviewing offered by professional resume services still have significant exceptions that humans can only write due to the high emotional intelligence, empathy, and critical thinking required.

5. Financial Analysts and Record-Keepers

Financial analysis and record-keeping are now within reach with the help of AI-powered tools that can do a better job than humans. Before, professionals manually did record keeping and analysis. They investigate discrepancies in the books and make notes about their findings. Now, many of the mundane tasks in these industries can be carried out automatically with little to no human intervention required. Even though this is one of the jobs that will be gone by 2030, humans will still be needed for complex financial analysis, interpreting financial data, and making decisions.

6. Administrator

Administrators play an essential role in any successful business. They provide necessary office support for an employee or group. Their duties include answering phones, greeting and directing visitors, typing documents, making spreadsheets and presentations, and filing. With this, the future of administrative positions is in jeopardy because businesses can utilize AI tools to perform some administrative tasks. The next decade will see further improvements in automation and digitalization, reducing the need for humans to perform these tasks.

7. Cashiers

With the advent of contactless payments and cryptocurrencies, there has been widespread discussion in recent years about the possibility of a cashless society. Companies have already implemented such measures. Amazon is among the first companies to employ cashier-less checkout. Customers can use the Amazon Go app to pay for groceries without human intervention. It’s a novel method for most people, but it simplifies transactions and lessens operational costs.

While some may still prefer to pay in cash to keep a closer eye on their spending habits, the days of human payment processors are ending. Indeed, this is among the jobs that will cease to exist in 2030.

8. Fast Food Workers

By 2030, robots and computer kiosks will replace most fast food roles due to advancements in artificial intelligence. Moreover, fast food chains are not hiding that they are trying to hire fewer people. Self-service checkout lanes and stations are gradually replacing cashiers in fast food establishments, including McDonald's.

Additionally, companies in the US are already using robot technology to flip burgers and assemble sandwiches. In the future, only a few humans may be required to fulfill orders from robots at your favorite fast-food restaurant.

9. Travel Agents

There was a time when planning a summer vacation abroad involved visiting a travel agency, perusing brochures, and having a helpful salesperson put it all together on a computer. These days, it’s now possible for anyone to plan their vacation thanks to the plethora of user-friendly travel websites. With the help of websites like Airbnb, Trivago, and Agoda, you can find cheap flights and hotels that fit your travel dates and budget with just a credit card and some free time. This is also why travel agents are one of the jobs on the verge of disappearing by 2030. Many airlines, hotels, and tour groups are eliminating brick-and-mortar locations to expand their online presence.

10. Letter Carriers

Traditional letter carriers may be in trouble in the future. It’s doubtful that demand for these services will increase over the following decades, as bills and statements can be viewed and paid online. Junk mail has also moved from the mailbox to the inbox, and letter writing is a dying art form. Despite this, there’s still a need for couriers to deliver packages, so letter carriers still have a chance to recuperate once this job becomes obsolete in 2030.

Should Employees Be Worried?

It’s reasonable to feel concerned if your profession is on the verge of becoming extinct by 2030.

However, a transfer to a different position is more likely than a layoff. Along the way, you could potentially pick up and hone some useful new skills. Taking a more optimistic tack, you could view the evolution of your role as an opening to pursue a new career path and begin training for it immediately.

There is no denying that automation and AI will soon permeate every aspect of our lives. It’s only high time we embrace this trend and use it as leverage to further our careers. So, don’t be worried if your current job is one of the ten jobs that will disappear by 2030. You can still find ways to upskill and use AI to your advantage.