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22 safest jobs during the robot revolution

3 of 22 NEXT PREV
  • Veterinarians

    Veterinarians

    A 2013 Oxford University study estimates that 47 percent of current U.S. jobs could be taken over by computers in as little as two decades. But not all professions are equally vulnerable to automation.

    One particularly safe field, for example, is veterinary medicine. Pet owners expect a certain level of care and compassion from their vets, especially in times of sickness.

    In fact, the Oxford University study estimates the probability of nurses losing their jobs to robots in the next few decades to be a mere 0.9 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Richard Hutchings/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Recreation workers

    Recreation workers

    Do you dream of working with Tom Haverford, Leslie Knope and Anne Perkins? If so, good news: Robots won't dash those dreams.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.61 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Phil Ramey/RameyPix/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Glam squads

    Glam squads

    Like many other professions that involve creativity and artistry, makeup artistry is unlikely be to commandeered by robots.

    Besides, would you let a robot come at your face with a mascara gun and lipstick rollers?

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 1 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: moodboard/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Dentists and oral surgeons

    Dentists and oral surgeons

    Dentistry has seen some amazing technological advancements of late -- you can now have a replacement tooth 3D printed, for example.

    But even as this technology improves, it's unlikely any of it will replace dentists themselves.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.44 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Wolfgang Flamisch/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Fitness trainers

    Fitness trainers

    Automation may be on the rise, but according to the Center for Disease Control, so, too, is the rate of obesity in children and adults.

    Wearables and fitness apps address the issue, but there's no automated substitute for the merciless brutality encouragement and accountability that a human personal trainer can provide.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 8.5 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Corey Jenkins/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Archaeologists

    Archaeologists

    Don't let robots dash your hopes of becoming the next Indiana Jones.

    According to Oxford University, archaeologists are at incredibly low risk of job loss due to computerization -- perhaps because their field work is so painstaking and intricate.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.77 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: George Steinmetz/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Firefighting supervisors

    Firefighting supervisors

    According to Oxford University, the average firefighter is unlikely (17 percent) to lose a job to a robot any time soon.

    That said, the study singles out first-line firefighting supervisors as enjoying an even higher level of job security than the rank and file.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.36 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Dann Tardif/LWA/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Coaches

    Coaches

    A good coach does more than just call plays. They serve as key leadership figures; connect with individual athletes; and provide encouragement and support. That's not a great match for computerization.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple of decades: 1.3 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Nice One Productions/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Nutritionists

    Nutritionists

    Obesity rates (and robots' failure to provide a human level of accountability) should protect the nutritionist profession from obsolescence in the near term, too.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.39 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: B. Boissonnet/BSIP/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Musical directors and composers

    Musical directors and composers

    Can a machine write a better song than Mozart could? Perhaps someday.

    As for the next few decades, writing and performing pop hits, country ballads and more will be the exclusive domain of humans, not computers.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 1.5 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Tim Pannell/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Nurses

    Nurses

    Nurses provide a certain level of human tenderness, care and emotional support that robots cannot easily replicate.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.9 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Marilyn Angel Wynn/Nativestock Pictures/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Forester

    Forester

    It's no secret that automation has already done in a number of jobs in the logging industry.

    But the Oxford University study seems to put a premium on environmental and conservation efforts, suggesting that the bulk of these automation casualties already have occurred.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.81 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Gaetano/CORBIS

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Floral Designers

    Floral Designers

    It's unlikely that "floral designer" will be a hot growth profession over the next few decades. But it's similarly unlikely that florists will be replaced en masse by robots, either.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 4.7 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: J. James/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Photographers

    Photographers

    These days, cameras are everywhere. But there's a certain amount of skill and creativity necessary to craft a compelling photograph -- just as it takes a trained eye to know what scenes are worth immortalizing.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.9 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Tina Hager/arabianEye/arabianEye/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Architect

    Architect

    That's OK, handsome stock-photo architect: You can sit there looking as aloof as you want.

    After all, your job isn't at risk to robots -- success as an engineer requires large amounts of human creativity, artistry and innovation.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 1.8 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Josef Lindau/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Multimedia artists and animators

    Multimedia artists and animators

    Creative fields such as animation aren't necessarily immune to automation, but they're better protected than most.

    After all, a human needs to be involved to make sure that what the computer outputs will look pleasing and be entertaining to other humans.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.9 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Waltraud Grubitzsch/dpa/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Physicians and surgeons

    Physicians and surgeons

    Walk in to any operating room in the country, and you'll see plenty of machines performing important, life-saving duties.

    But you'll also see plenty of doctors and other medical professionals on hand to operate those machines, ensure they're working properly, and know what to do in emergencies when they're not immediately available for use.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.42 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Ben Edwards/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Lawyers

    Lawyers

    We'll concede that a robot would likely have no problem passing the bar exam; it simply needs to be programmed with all the answers.

    But when it comes to arguing cases in front of a human judge and jury, robots cannot connect with and persuade people as well as a human lawyer can.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 3.5 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Heide Benser/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Engineers

    Engineers

    For the most part, engineers face a relatively low risk of job loss due to automation.

    According to the Oxford study, mechanical engineers face one of the lowest rates of automation (1.1 percent), followed closely by chemical (1.7 percent), aerospace (1.7 percent), environmental (1.8 percent) and civil engineering (1.9 percent).

    But not all engineering professions are safe: Agricultural engineers have a near 50-50 shot to lose their job to a computer sometime in the next few decades.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Tim Pannell/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Clergy

    Clergy

    Few things are more human (and less machine) than faith and a belief in a higher power.

    As such, it's unlikely that robots will ever take over houses of worship -- Futurama's Reverend Lionel Preacherbot aside.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.81percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Jason Horowitz/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Psychologist

    Psychologist

    Given the sensitivity and compassion required to deal with mental health issues, it stands to reason that psychologists (and mental health professionals in general) will be relatively immune to the robot revolution.

    Psychology Today notes, however, that "robot-enhanced therapy" is yielding promising results with dementia patients and the autistic.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.43 percent.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Wavebreak Media LTD/Wavebreak Media Ltd./Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

  • Preschool/Elementary teachers

    Preschool/Elementary teachers

    We concede that the future of the teaching profession will involve plenty of automated learning tools and possibly even telepresence robots.

    But full automation? Probably not -- small kids require too much supervision.

    The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.44 percent for elementary school teachers; 0.74 percent for preschool teachers.

    Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

    Photo by: Sharie Kennedy/LWA/Corbis

    Caption by: Fox Van Allen

3 of 22 NEXT PREV
Fox Van Allen

By Fox Van Allen | December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST) | Topic: Tech & Work

  • Veterinarians
  • Recreation workers
  • Glam squads
  • Dentists and oral surgeons
  • Fitness trainers
  • Archaeologists
  • Firefighting supervisors
  • Coaches
  • Nutritionists
  • Musical directors and composers
  • Nurses
  • Forester
  • Floral Designers
  • Photographers
  • Architect
  • Multimedia artists and animators
  • Physicians and surgeons
  • Lawyers
  • Engineers
  • Clergy
  • Psychologist
  • Preschool/Elementary teachers

An Oxford University study estimates that 47 percent of current U.S. jobs could be done by computers in as little as two decades. But not all professions are vulnerable to automation.

Read More Read Less

Glam squads

Like many other professions that involve creativity and artistry, makeup artistry is unlikely be to commandeered by robots.

Besides, would you let a robot come at your face with a mascara gun and lipstick rollers?

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 1 percent.

Published: December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST)

Caption by: Fox Van Allen

3 of 22 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Tech and Work
Fox Van Allen

By Fox Van Allen | December 8, 2015 -- 15:23 GMT (07:23 PST) | Topic: Tech & Work

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