Automation Risk
The probability that a job or occupation will be significantly impacted or replaced by AI and automation technologies.
Automation risk measures how likely your job is to be significantly changed or replaced by artificial intelligence and automation technologies. Understanding your automation risk helps you make informed career decisions and proactively develop skills that will remain valuable.
How Automation Risk is Calculated
Automation risk scores typically analyze job tasks against AI capabilities. Jobs with routine, predictable tasks (data entry, basic analysis) score higher risk. Jobs requiring creativity, complex problem-solving, emotional intelligence, or physical dexterity in unpredictable environments score lower. Most assessments use a 0-100% scale.
High-Risk Job Categories
Jobs with high automation risk (60%+) often involve repetitive data processing, basic customer service, routine manufacturing, and straightforward analytical tasks. Examples include data entry clerks, telemarketers, loan officers, and some accounting roles.
Low-Risk Job Categories
Jobs with lower automation risk typically require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence in variable environments. Healthcare workers, skilled trades, creative professionals, and roles requiring complex interpersonal skills tend to have lower risk scores.
Using Automation Risk in Career Planning
Don't panic if your job has high automation risk—use it as motivation to evolve. Identify which of your skills are most valuable and least automatable. Seek opportunities to develop complementary skills. Consider how AI might augment your role rather than replace it entirely.
Examples
Accountant (47% risk)
Routine bookkeeping is highly automatable, but strategic tax planning, client advisory, and complex auditing require human judgment. Accountants evolving toward advisory roles lower their effective risk.
Software Developer (13% risk)
While AI can write code, developers who design systems, solve novel problems, and understand business context remain valuable. The role evolves with AI as a tool.
Key Takeaways
- 1Focus on developing skills AI struggles with: creativity, empathy, complex judgment
- 2Learn to work alongside AI tools to increase your productivity
- 3Consider automation risk when choosing education and career paths
- 4Review your automation risk annually as AI capabilities evolve
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