Introduction
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, many professionals are left wondering if their jobs might be next on the chopping block. With automation advancing rapidly, concerns about job security are growing, particularly in roles where technology could perform tasks more efficiently. But is AI truly set to replace the workforce, or is there more to the story?
To better understand these concerns, Pro5.ai, a global leader in AI recruitment, posed a simple yet thought-provoking question: “Do you think AI could take over your job in the next five years?” The results, gathered from individuals with 340 different job titles, which were grouped into 45 standardized roles, across tech, project management, sales, marketing, customer service, operations, finance, HR, and leadership, offer a unique perspective from professionals in 53 countries spanning six continents.
It is important to note that these survey results represent the views of Pro5.ai’s followers, who are typically top-level specialists in their fields. Additionally, some roles were excluded from the study due to an insufficient number of respondents, which would not have provided reliable data.
Survey Results: Who Feels Most at Risk?
One in three respondents believe AI could take over their current job within the next five years. This trend holds steady across both tech and non-tech roles, across the globe, underscoring the widespread impact of AI across industries far beyond those traditionally seen as vulnerable to automation. With the rapid pace of AI adoption, this growing recognition reflects a broader shift in how professionals view the future of work.
Tech Roles at Medium Risk
Several tech roles are seen as moderately at risk of being replaced by AI:
- Project Manager (32%)
- Software Developer (31%)
- Business Analyst (30%)
- Engineering Technician (30%)
- Data Scientist (28%)
- Quality Assurance Specialist (25%)
Non-Tech Roles at Medium Risk
On the non-tech side, similar numbers reflect growing concerns:
- Finance Specialist (33%)
- Content Specialist (30%)
- Entrepreneur (29%)
- Sales & Business Development Specialist (26%)
Roles Perceived at Highest Risk
Some roles, however, are perceived to be at significantly higher risk of replacement by AI. Notably:
- Tech Roles: Engineering Managers are viewed as the most vulnerable, with 67% believing their jobs are at risk.
- Non-Tech Roles: Administrative Assistants are seen as particularly exposed, with 67% considering their jobs highly likely to be replaced by AI.
Other roles perceived to be at high risk include:
- IT Consultancy & Advisory (42%)
- DevOps Engineer (42%)
- IT Support Specialist (39%)
- Business Consultancy & Advisory (58%)
- Customer Service Specialist (45%)
- HR Specialist (40%)
Roles Perceived at Low Risk
Interestingly, not all professionals share the same level of concern. Some are confident that AI will not replace their jobs anytime soon:
Tech Roles:
- Solutions Architect (22%)
- UX Designer (18%)
- Data Engineer (17%)
Non-Tech Roles:
- Marketing Specialist (21%)
- Leadership Roles (20%)
- Operations Specialist (11%)
The study reveals a clear divide in confidence levels regarding job security, with respondents in highly specialized, adaptable roles feeling most secure against AI disruption. These individuals often occupy roles that demand a combination of specialized skills, human interaction, and adaptability—areas where AI, despite its rapid advancement, has yet to fully replicate human expertise.
Among tech roles, data engineers, UX designers, and solutions architects exhibit the highest confidence, given the complex nature of their work. These roles require intricate problem-solving, system design, and human-centered thinking—tasks that demand not just technical precision but also a deep understanding of user behavior and system architecture. Such roles are seen as essential to creating, managing, and refining AI-driven systems, further reinforcing their resilience to automation.
In non-tech fields, professionals in leadership, entrepreneurship, sales, and marketing roles also express strong confidence. Their work relies heavily on human interaction, relationship-building, and strategic decision-making—areas where emotional intelligence, creativity, and nuanced judgment remain crucial. These roles are deeply rooted in the ability to navigate complex human dynamics and market trends, which AI has not yet fully mastered.
On the other hand, roles that involve more structured tasks are feeling the most pressure. Tech roles like engineering managers, DevOps engineers, IT support specialists, and IT consultants are increasingly exposed to AI-driven automation in areas such as project coordination, system monitoring, and workflow management. These roles, while still highly skilled, involve routine tasks that AI can efficiently optimize.
Similarly, non-tech roles such as administrative assistants, business consultants, customer service specialists, and HR specialists are becoming more vulnerable. As AI tools continue to streamline tasks like scheduling, data analysis, and recruitment, professionals in these fields face growing concerns about the extent to which automation can replace their responsibilities. While these roles are vital to organizational function, the repetitive nature of many tasks makes them more susceptible to automation.
A Historical Perspective on Automation: Lessons Learned
The fear of technology replacing human workers is not new. In fact, history is filled with examples of innovations that many believed would spell the end for certain professions. However, the reality has often been different—automation tends to reshape roles rather than eliminate them.
ATMs and Bank Tellers
In the mid-1990s, when ATMs were widely adopted, many predicted that bank tellers would become obsolete. Yet, as highlighted by James Bessen in Learning by Doing: The Real Connection between Innovation, Wages, and Wealth (2015), ATMs transformed the role rather than eliminating it. Bank tellers shifted from cash handling to customer service and relationship management, becoming key players in the banks’ ‘customer relationship teams.’
Further, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) gave several more examples through its “Growth trends for selected occupations considered at risk from automation” report (2022):
Warehouse Workers
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Automation has streamlined tasks, but the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 0.7% job growth by 2029, driven by e-commerce demand. Robots handle some tasks, but human workers manage more complex operations and supervision.
Customer Service Representatives (CSR)
Despite AI chatbots handling basic inquiries, BLS reports that CSR jobs grew by 32% (2008–2018) and are projected to remain stable. Automation frees up CSRs to focus on more complex customer interactions, enhancing the role rather than eliminating it.
Financial Advisors
Robo-advisors automate simple tasks, but BLS projects 4.4% growth by 2029 as AI expands access to financial advice. Human advisors handle more personalized, complex financial planning, augmenting their role.
Truck drivers
While self-driving technology advances, driver jobs are projected to grow by 1.5% by 2029. Automation handles long-haul routes, but drivers are still needed for complex, local deliveries and supervision
In summary, automation impacts jobs in different ways depending on how it's implemented. Some low-skill jobs may disappear, but they are often replaced by new, more specialized roles, reducing costs while opening up opportunities. In other cases, workers remain employed, focusing on higher-level tasks that enhance the quality of their work but don’t necessarily lead to cost savings. When technology is exceptionally efficient, it can drive business expansion, leading to more employment rather than less, as seen in sectors like e-commerce.
Conclusion: What Does This Mean for the Future of Work?
The concern that AI will replace human jobs is understandable, but history consistently demonstrates that technological progress doesn’t equate to widespread job loss. While the Pro5.ai survey highlights varying perceptions about the impact of AI, particularly for roles involving routine tasks, it also suggests the potential for AI to unlock new opportunities. As AI continues to evolve, the conversation is shifting toward how it can empower workers to achieve greater efficiency, innovation, and impact in the workplace.
What’s clear is this: the adoption of AI isn’t the end of human work. It marks the dawn of new roles, the rise of more complex challenges, and the creation of unprecedented opportunities for workers to thrive, adapt, and redefine their place in an increasingly automated world.
References:
Learning by Doing: The Real Connection between Innovation, Wages, and Wealth (2015) https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Doing-Connection-between-Innovation/dp/0300195664
Growth trends for selected occupations considered at risk from automation (2022) https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2022/article/growth-trends-for-selected-occupations-considered-at-risk-from-automation.htm