The outlook for many individuals in the future job market appears bleak. A recent study by Forrester predicted that 10% of U.S. jobs would be automated this year, while McKinsey estimated that nearly half of all U.S. jobs could be automated within the next decade.
The jobs most susceptible to automation are those characterized by repetition and routine, spanning from interpreting X-rays (where human radiologists may soon have diminished roles) to tasks like truck driving and warehouse stocking. While extensive discussion has focused on jobs facing elimination, there has been less exploration of the perspective of identifying aspects within existing jobs that might be replaced by machines.
Take, for instance, the role of a physician. While machines are becoming increasingly adept at diagnosing illnesses, the more empathetic and interactive aspects of the job, such as discussing treatment options with a family, are less likely to be automated in the near future.
Similarly, the contrast between being a barista and a bartender is illuminating. In San Francisco, Cafe X has replaced all baristas with robotic arms, yet even in this automated setting, a human is retained to guide customers in using the technology and troubleshoot issues. Unlike being a barista, the job of a bartender involves not only the routine task of mixing drinks but also engaging in conversations with customers, showcasing a non-routine and interactive dimension.
Upon reflection on various jobs and professions, two non-routine aspects emerge as particularly challenging to automate: emotion and context. Emotion plays a vital role in human communication, empathy, and decision-making, presenting complexity and nuance that prove difficult to replicate in automated systems. Context, being open-ended and subject to constant change, poses a challenge for automation, especially in contrast to the adaptability of a congenial bartender who effortlessly considers contextual factors.
The ability to navigate emotion and context are integral to critical thinking, creative problem solving, effective communication, adaptive learning, and good judgment. These human skills are sought by employers across industries, with 93% emphasizing the importance of candidates demonstrating critical thinking, clear communication, and problem-solving abilities over their undergraduate major. Additionally, employers value soft skills such as adaptive learning, sound decision-making, and collaborative teamwork — qualities that align with human strengths and remain resistant to automation.
In light of these considerations, it is suggested that educational systems should focus not only on teaching individuals how to interact with technology (such as coding) but also on cultivating skills that technology is unlikely to replicate soon. This reframing of “soft skills” acknowledges their complexity and difficulty to systematize, recognizing them as the qualities that continue to give humans a competitive advantage over robots.
