Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly, with many tasks in the workplace becoming automated. This frees workers up to conduct more skilled or creative tasks that require a human touch.
As a result of this transition into a more digital world, many of today’s repetitive and non-skilled jobs are becoming automated. If a machine can learn it or if it’s something that requires repetitive motion, it’s likely a machine can and will do it in the near future. Below, we take a look at several jobs that will likely become fully automated in the next decade.
- Tasks That Are Sequential
Many of the tasks we do at work each day are composed of simple sequences. As such, these tasks can be easily taught to a machine, freeing up time for humans to tackle more important and skilled tasks that require creativity or advanced problem-solving. Look for things like accounts payable automation, electronic forms automation, and document management automation to be normal practices in office settings in the next five to ten years.
- Customer Service
Alexa and Google Assistant are already automating many homes across the world. They do many of the things live customer service reps do but in a much faster and efficient manner. From data collection to order placement and more, there’s no reason to think that customer service duties won’t become fully automated in the next decade.
- Dangerous or Repetitive Services
These tasks are what digital automation was designed to handle. Any job that is dangerous or repetitive that doesn’t require human interaction is prime for automation. From mining to demolition, we can expect to see many of the world’s most dangerous jobs automated over the coming decade.
- Healthcare
Nothing will ever replace the physical care and knowledge of a trained physician, but technology can certainly make staying healthy easier and more convenient.
Most people use a combination of in-person office visits, pharmacies, and urgent care to treat illness and stay healthy. Much of the scheduling, communication, and prescription filling can take place virtually. Most doctors’ offices and hospitals have online portals to log into to get your questions answered, request refills, and schedule appointments without ever having to talk to a live person.
Healthcare automation makes life more convenient for the patient and frees up valuable time for medical professionals to tend to more important tasks during office hours.
- Delivery Services
Many of today’s delivery services are already leaning toward full automation. Self-driving vehicles, drones, and mobile apps are all making the delivery process faster and easier for humans. From mail and food delivery to taxis and trucking, it’s just a matter of time before most delivery-based services are fully automated.
- Cashier and Teller Roles
It’s already started with stores like Walmart installing self-checkout kiosks in most of their stores. Yes, you’ll still find a human cashier or two from time to time, but self-checkout is where it’s at.
This switch to full automation will also affect the banking industry as ATM access gives users the ability to do the same things they would at a teller’s window. It won’t be long before the cashier and teller roles will be fully automated and obsolete.
As technology advances, more and more jobs will become automated, at least in part. If it can be done by a machine, it will be – it’s only a matter of time.
