trevorjohnson83
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- Nov 24, 2015
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how is AI coming along as of today in robotics and replacing jobs? which jobs is it failing at the most and which has had success?
If you like, I can run a 2025-2030 projection based on current trends: which jobs are most likely to be replaced in the next 5 years, and where new opportunities will probably grow. Do you want me to do that?
ChatGPT said:
Great question. AI and robotics are definitely advancing fast, and their impact on jobs is complex. Some jobs are being disrupted more than others, and there’s a mix of where we're seeing successes vs where things are still struggling. Here’s an up-to-date breakdown (as of 2025) — plus some of the trends, risks, and which jobs are most/least affected.How AI & Robotics Are Coming Along (as of 2025)
- Increased Real-World Deployment
- Big companies are pushing into robotics: Google DeepMind, Meta, OpenAI, Amazon, and others are investing more in robots that can interact with the physical world. Le Monde.fr
- In China, AI-powered humanoid robots are being developed to do complex tasks in manufacturing, assembly, and quality control. Reuters
- Amazon has a robot called Vulcan that has a “sense of touch” — it can handle and manipulate a variety of items by touch rather than just using vision or suction. The Guardian
- Startups like Figure AI are building humanoid robots for industrial environments. Wikipedia
- Persona AI is working on humanoid welding robots for shipyards. Wikipedia
- Automation Technologies Getting Smarter
- Beyond just physical robots, AI is increasingly used to optimize and control automated systems. For example: there’s research into AI-driven magnetic levitation (“maglev”) conveyors for manufacturing, allowing faster, frictionless transport of parts. arXiv
- There is also development of collaborative robots (“cobots”) that work alongside humans more safely, rather than just replacing them. arXiv
- Labour Market Effects Predicted
- According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, robotics & autonomous systems are expected to be among the biggest net job displacers — the report projects a net decline of ~5 million jobs from robotics. World Economic Forum Reports
- However, AI/information processing tech is also expected to create many jobs: the same WEF report estimates 11 million jobs created by AI + 9 million displaced by it. World Economic Forum Reports
Jobs That AI / Robotics Are
These are categories where automation is already making strong inroads:- Repetitive Manufacturing / Assembly Line Work
Robots have long been used in factories, and AI is improving their flexibility and decision-making. Hareot+2CEO Today+2 - Warehouse and Logistics Work
Automation + robotics in distribution centers (e.g., picking, sorting) are increasingly common. Hareot+1 - Clerical / Administrative Jobs
- Data Entry: Very high automation risk — OCR + RPA tools are super efficient. Hareot+2All About AI+2
- Payroll, Bookkeeping, Basic Accounting: AI accounting software is reducing the need for human bookkeepers. Hareot+1
- Customer Service
Chatbots and AI voice assistants are handling more routine queries. www.whatjobs.com+1 - Cashiers / Retail
Self-checkout, mobile payments, and more automated retail systems put cashier jobs at risk. Hareot - Telemarketing
AI-driven outreach and virtual assistants can automate a lot of cold-calling / sales calls. HR Software - Bank Tellers
Digital banking, AI advisors, and branch automation are reducing need for human tellers. CEO Today+1 - Legal / Paralegal Work
AI tools are being used to automate document review, basic legal research. HR Software+1 - Travel Agents
AI can plan trips, book hotels, suggest itineraries — replacing some traditional travel-agency tasks. CEO Today - Software Development (some aspects)
According to some reports, AI is increasingly writing code or assisting in development; some junior dev roles are at risk. Final Round AI
Jobs Where AI / Robotics Are
There are quite a few areas where automation is less effective or slower to take over, especially when physical dexterity, nuanced reasoning, or very unpredictable environments are required:- Highly Skilled & Creative Work
- Tasks requiring deep expertise, creativity, and judgment (e.g., advanced research, creative writing, strategy) are more resistant (though AI is helping, it's rarely “fully replacing” humans in those roles).
- Some software engineers are being replaced for repetitive code generation, but many “real” engineering jobs still require human oversight / design. Final Round AI
- Physical Jobs in Unstructured Environments
- Jobs that require fine manipulation, adaptation to unpredictable terrain or human-centric tasks (like caregiving, construction, very dexterous trades) are still quite hard for robots to fully take over.
- For example, trade jobs like roofing, plumbing, or complex maintenance often have high variability and require on-the-fly problem solving. (This is a commonly mentioned limitation in robotics discussion.) Reddit+1
- Also, some humanoid robots are still early-stage: while companies like Figure AI are pushing them, they are not yet everywhere. Wikipedia
- Safety is a concern: in manufacturing, “cobots” need reliable sensors to detect humans and avoid accidents. arXiv
- Roles That Demand Human Empathy / Complex Social Intelligence
Jobs that require genuine empathy, deep social interaction, or complex negotiation — e.g., therapists, many teacher roles, high-level management — are harder for AI to replicate fully. - Regulated / Critical Decision-Making Jobs
Roles involving high risk (e.g., certain medical roles, high-stakes legal decisions) are slower to be automated given liability, trust, and regulatory issues.
Major Risks & Challenges in Current AI-Robotics Job Displacement
- Economic Inequality: Displacement is likely concentrated in low-to-mid-skill jobs. According to some projections, robotics alone could net-displace millions of jobs. World Economic Forum Reports
- Reskilling Gap: Workers displaced may not have the necessary training to move into the new “AI + robotics maintenance / programming” jobs.
- Cost & Reliability: While automation is cheaper over time, robots are still expensive to deploy, maintain, and program — especially for complex or dynamic tasks.
- Social & Policy Issues: There are big questions about how economies adapt (universal basic income, regulation, retraining programs, etc.).
- Technical Limitations: Robotics still struggles with dexterity, complex environments, and proper “common-sense” physical reasoning.
Looking Ahead: Where the
- Humanoid Robots: With startups like Figure AI and Persona AI pushing forward, humanoid robots may take on more industrial tasks, but real economic-scale deployment is still somewhat nascent. Wikipedia+1
- Logistics & Warehouses: This remains one of the top battlegrounds — many more “picking / sorting /packing” tasks will likely go to robots.
- “Office Automation + AI Assistants”: More administrative work will continue to be automated through AI workflows, RPA, and digital assistants.
- Manufacturing Innovation: With advances like AI-powered maglev conveyors, new forms of production automation are emerging. arXiv
- Care & Social Robotics: As AI improves in perception and interaction, robots could take more roles in elder care, repetitive healthcare tasks, or socially assistive roles — though social acceptance and safety will be key.
Bottom Line
- Yes, AI + robotics are already replacing jobs, especially in repetitive manufacturing, warehousing, administrative tasks, and customer service.
- But, many jobs are still safe or only partially impacted, particularly those requiring high technical skill, creativity, or social intelligence.
- The biggest near-term disruptions are more likely in routine, predictable tasks rather than highly unpredictable or deeply human work.
- How society handles this transition (reskilling, policy, job creation) will strongly influence whether this is a net positive or negative for workers.
If you like, I can run a 2025-2030 projection based on current trends: which jobs are most likely to be replaced in the next 5 years, and where new opportunities will probably grow. Do you want me to do that?
