Choosing an education that minimizes the risk of being replaced by AI is challenging.
When we talk about jobs that AI (artificial intelligence) might replace, we usually mean jobs that are highly repetitive, highly standardized, and don't require much innovative thinking or people skills.
As a result, fields that require innovative thinking, complex problem-solving, specialized knowledge, and advanced interpersonal skills are generally considered less likely to be replaced by AI.
Here are some possible options:
Creative and artistic majors:
Such as design, music, art, film production, etc., these majors require a high degree of innovative thinking and artistic perception, which cannot be replicated by AI at present.
Scientific research:
Such as biological sciences, physics, chemistry, etc. These fields require deep professional knowledge and complex analytical capabilities, which are currently difficult to replace with AI.
Healthcare Professions:
Although AI can assist in diagnosis and perform some operations, the work of doctors and nurses involves complex human interactions and the ability to formulate treatment plans based on the unique conditions of each patient, which cannot be replaced by AI.
Psychology and Social Work:
These professions require understanding and dealing with human emotions and social issues, which is currently beyond the reach of AI.
Educate:
Although AI can assist teaching, the role of teachers cannot be replaced, because education is not only about imparting knowledge, but also about stimulating students' interest, solving their problems, and personalized teaching.
Law:
Although AI can help with some legal documents and research, it is difficult for AI to replace the debate, interpretation of complex legal issues and interpersonal skills that lawyers need.
Engineering and Architecture:
These fields require complex design and problem-solving abilities, as well as specialized knowledge, which cannot be replaced by AI at present.
However, keep in mind that the job market of the future is uncertain and we cannot fully predict which occupations will be automated and which will grow.
When choosing a major, consider your interests, passions, and long-term goals in addition to your employment prospects.
At the same time, it is also very important to have a lifelong learning attitude, because we need to constantly update our knowledge and skills to cope with the rapidly changing world.
If you want to prepare for the job market of the future and want to position your skills in areas that are less likely to be replaced by AI, here are some additional suggestions:
Interdisciplinary Capabilities:
It is important to choose a field to focus on, but it is also very useful to understand and link knowledge in different fields at the same time. For example, bioinformatics combines biology, computer science, and information technology, or environmental engineering combines engineering, geography, biology, and chemistry, among others.
Interpersonal and Leadership Skills:
While AI can crunch vast amounts of data and make predictions, it cannot lead teams, motivate others, or understand complex human relationships. Therefore, any studies and experiences that improve your interpersonal and leadership skills will benefit your future employment.
Creative thinking and critical thinking:
These skills help you solve new problems, think about how to apply knowledge in new situations, and evaluate the quality and reliability of information. These are capabilities that are difficult for AI to replicate.
Data Science and AI itself:
While AI may replace some jobs, it also creates many new jobs. In the development, maintenance, application and regulation of AI, a lot of manpower is required.
Therefore, learning how to use AI, and understanding its rationale and limitations, can help you find your place in the job market of the future.
Ethics and Philosophy:
With the rapid development of AI and other technologies, we face many new ethical and philosophical questions.
For example, how should we define the responsibilities of AI?
How should AI ensure fairness and transparency?
These are questions that humans need to answer.
In general, the future job market may change a lot, but as long as you are willing to learn new skills and knowledge, keep an open and flexible attitude, you can find your place. The most important thing is to choose a field that you are passionate about and can develop in.
Here are some other areas and skills that can be helpful for future career challenges:
Environmental Science and Sustainability:
As global climate change and environmental problems become increasingly serious, the demand for occupations such as environmental scientists, sustainable development experts and environmental protection engineers will increase. These jobs require deep scientific knowledge, innovative problem-solving abilities, and an in-depth understanding of the environment and society, which cannot be replaced by AI.
Public Health and Global Health:
A global public health crisis like the novel coronavirus has brought greater awareness of the importance of the field of global health and public health. These fields require an understanding of complex biological, social and policy issues and the ability to collaborate effectively on a global scale.
Anthropology and Sociology:
Understanding human society and culture is important for many industries, such as product design, policy making, community building, etc. These fields require understanding and explaining complex human behavior and social phenomena, which AI is currently unable to do.
Business and Entrepreneurship:
No matter what field you work in, you need to understand how to run and grow an organization. Entrepreneurship and business management skills, such as market research, financial management, strategic planning, etc., are hard to replace with AI.
Service industry:
While certain service industry jobs may be automated, those services that require a high degree of personalization and interpersonal skills, such as personal care, psychological counseling, luxury hotel services, etc., will still require humans to perform.
Policy and Public Affairs:
The development of AI and other new technologies has an increasing impact on public policy and regulation.
Therefore, talents who understand new technologies and can make informed decisions on these issues will be increasingly sought after.
In your future career, what matters is not only what major you choose, but whether you are willing to continue learning and adapt to the new environment.
Your "soft skills" such as curiosity, innovative thinking, critical thinking, and people skills may be more important than specific expertise.