With the uncertainty around the tech economy, more people are looking for tech jobs that are “AI-proof” or, at the very least, resistant to automation.Whether you’re just starting out in your tech career or already have decades of experience, it’s worth considering what roles are likely to survive or even thrive as AI continues to evolve. By knowing the jobs that can’t be taken over by gen AI, you can make sure that you’ve got the skills that employers are going to be looking for.
There’s a healthy amount of fear that AI is taking over, but there are other areas across all industries that still rely on creativity, strategic thinking, problem-solving and just being human. Here are just some of the tech jobs that are safe from AI.
Top Available Tech Jobs in North America
Software Architects and Senior Developers
There was a time when coding was considered to be the skill of the future: learn to code, and you’ll be set for life. However, one of the jobs that AI is most proficient at is coding. That being said, writing that code is only the tip of the software development iceberg.
Software architects and developers are essential for designing scalable, maintainable, and secure systems – something that AI is not yet capable of doing. AI can be useful for debugging and creating boilerplate code, but at the moment, it can’t compete with a skilled human when it comes to performance optimization, complex decision-making, and system architecture.
The job market for developers who can harness the power of AI while applying their extensive experience and knowledge is likely to discover that software architecture is an AI-proof tech job.
Cloud Computing and DevOps
Most organizations rely heavily on cloud infrastructure, which means that it’s a candidate's market for DevOps and Cloud Computing professionals. AI has the capacity to automate some tasks when it comes to deployment and monitoring, but similar to coding, it isn’t currently in a place where it can replicate or replace the skill required to design cost-effective, resilient, and secure cloud architectures.
While AI capabilities are likely to continue, cloud specialists and DevOps engineers who make an effort to stay ahead of the automation game will be highly sought after for their ability to continue to leverage AI for optimal efficiency without compromising on security.
Cybersecurity Experts
With increasingly sophisticated technology comes increasingly advanced cyber threats, and the more data we’re gathering, the greater the risk companies face. AI can help with threat detection, but it can’t do the job without the intelligence and intuition of human cybersecurity experts.
This is partly because AI can only assimilate information that it has been given; in the face of new threats, human expertise is needed to outthink hackers and deal with complex security breaches. Ethical hackers, alongside penetration testers and security analysts, play an important role in protecting data and making sure that companies remain compliant. Cybersecurity experts like these roles are likely to remain in high demand, no matter how sophisticated AI becomes.
Product Managers and UI/UX Designers
When it comes to product design and development, AI, when used well, can be a great way for organizations and individual departments to get started. However, as with coding and cybersecurity, AI can only take you so far; at the moment, it can really only reiterate, not innovate. Since AI can’t really come up with entirely original ideas, roles where creative and unique ideas are vital will be immune to AI job losses.
Product managers play essential roles across all industries, including the world of tech, outlining product vision, and making sure that business goals are aligned with user needs. UX and UI designers play an important part in the process, too, testing products to ensure optimal and impactful user experience.
As with many tech jobs, AI can help support product managers and UX/UI designers, but only as a productivity tool, not as a replacement for the human element of these roles. To protect these tech jobs and grow their career in the future, individuals will need to match their creative problem-solving, empathy, and experience with an understanding of how AI can complement their work and be integrated into the product lifecycle.
Robotics and Embedded Systems Engineers
Developing automation, robotics, and embedded systems requires a level of expertise and experience that AI can’t provide by itself. To integrate AI-driven software in human-designed hardware, engineers need a unique mix of problem-solving capabilities, electrical engineering, and computer skills.
AI can do some of these to a certain extent, but it’s not yet at a point where it can perform all to the same level as humans, and it’s not likely that it ever will. As a result, career opportunities are likely to remain strong for skilled specialists to work on the IoT, robotics, and autonomous systems.
IT Support and Systems Administration
In this day and age, the face of customer service is as likely—if not more likely—to belong to an avatar than a real human being. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are the mainstay of many IT help desks and, when done well, have transformed the end-user experience as well as the back office.
However, chatbots can only take a customer so far; when it comes to IT strategy, customer configurations, or complex troubleshooting, AI needs a human hand. IT support needs, and will continue to need, professionals who are capable of navigating complex networks, implementing security protocols, and managing large-scale IT infrastructures. Even as AI becomes more sophisticated, there will still be a need for skilled IT professionals to teach and maintain the infrastructure.
AI Engineers
Rather than replacing the very people who build and maintain AI models, demand is likely to increase for engineers who are skilled in model optimization and training methodologies. This is an exciting field that is rapidly changing, with rising demand for ongoing development and refinement of new and existing AI programs.
Those skilled in deep learning and AI development are likely to stay in high demand for the foreseeable future, so it offers a great opportunity for a creative, ambitious individual who wants to see how far they can go in the tech industry.
Data Science and Analytics
All AI begins with data, which means that data scientists and their skill sets lie at the heart of AI development. While it’s true that some aspects of data analysis can be automated by AI, it can’t currently replicate humans' ability to identify and define problems, interpret results, and apply insights.
In addition, AI is constantly changing, so data scientists will be key to applying statistical analysis and data engineering expertise to monitor and optimize AI models.
Ethical AI and Auditing Professionals
AI is as fallible as the humans that create it. In fact, with its ability to learn, AI can be more fallible, amplifying minor inconsistencies and embedding them. It’s not surprising that with the growth of AI comes increasing concerns about bias and accountability.
To mitigate these risks, it’s essential that AI is monitored to make sure that it remains ethical, unbiased and compliant with relevant regulatory requirements. This is an example of where AI has actually created jobs; roles in AI ethics, governance, and algorithm auditing are mainstays of the tech world and are likely to continue to be so.
Emerging Tech Specialists
As advanced as AI is becoming, jobs in emerging tech are likely to stay safe. Right now, it’s unlikely that AI will advance enough to be able to replace the human expertise of tech specialists in fields such as biotech, blockchain technology, and quantum computing. These specialized fields require knowledge that AI is simply not capable of replicating at the moment.
What’s more, tech specialists are at the cutting edge of the tech industry and responsible for groundbreaking innovations; it’s not easy to see a future where their jobs can be done by anyone (or anything) other than highly skilled humans.
The world is changing at a rapid pace, and it would be foolish for anyone to believe that their job is entirely immune to the changes imposed by AI. The most secure tech jobs are ones that are most likely to be needed to leverage the incredible capabilities of AI, oversee its design and quality, or sit at the forefront of innovation.
Individuals concerned about the impact of AI on their jobs today or in the future need to be careful not to hide away from the possibilities but embrace them instead. Recognize the possible impact of AI on your job, not in terms of limitations but opportunities, and make sure that you develop your skills so that you’re ahead of the curve when change does happen. As many experts have been saying, AI is not replacing people's jobs; it's those who know how to use AI in their work replacing those who don't.
If you’re worried about what the future might hold for your career, Motion Recruitment is here to help. Contact your local office to find a recruiting specialist who can share their unique insight into tech trends and opportunities that will help you develop and showcase skills to futureproof your career.
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