AI’s Hit List: Top 28 Jobs Most Likely to Vanish in the Next Five Years

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AI’s Hit List: Top 28 Jobs Most Likely to Vanish in the Next Five Years

By Chu E. - December 27, 2024

Want to know if your job will disappear in the next five years? AI will wipe out 83 million jobs by 2029, according to Statista. Machines already handle tax returns faster than accountants. Self-driving trucks cruise highways without human drivers. Robot arms run factory lines that used to need 20 workers. Sure, some companies keep a few humans around to manage the AI, but most workers in these jobs will need to find new careers. Here’s a hard look at the 28 jobs most likely to vanish, and why they’re on the chopping block.

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1. Telemarketers: Dialing Down for Good

The days of cold calling by telemarketers are numbered, as AI systems can now analyze customer data to predict who might be interested in a product, tailor pitches to individual preferences, and even conduct sales conversations. These AI solutions not only increase efficiency but also manage rejection without human emotional involvement, leading to a significant reduction in the need for human telemarketers. With AI, companies can achieve higher conversion rates, making human telemarketing roles obsolete.

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2. Data Entry Clerks: The End of Manual Data Input

Input Data entry clerks face tough competition from AI that reads and sorts information without mistakes. MetLife’s AI system processes 80,000 claims daily, replacing the work of 100 human clerks. The machines read documents from emails, forms, and even handwritten notes, typing data into systems 24 hours a day. Banks, hospitals, and offices have switched to AI because it works faster and never makes typos. A few clerks still check the AI’s work, but most data entry jobs are disappearing fast.

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3. Cashiers: The Self-Checkout Revolution

Supermarkets and retail stores are increasingly deploying self-checkout systems and AI-powered payment technologies, diminishing the role of cashiers. AI can manage inventory, apply discounts, detect theft, and handle transactions with speed and precision. As these technologies become more reliable and user-friendly, the traditional cashier position will dwindle. Retail environments are moving towards a model where human interaction is minimized for routine transactions, pushing cashiers out of the job market.

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4. Toll Booth Operators: Moving to Automated Systems

In many places, toll booth operators are becoming less common as technology like RFID tags and license plate recognition takes over. Systems like E-ZPass in the US or AutoPASS in Norway allow cars to pass through tolls without stopping, thanks to AI. This reduces traffic congestion and lowers the cost of operating toll booths. In Florida, for example, the SunPass system means toll booth operators are no longer needed at many locations, signaling the end of this traditional job.

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5. Travel Agents: AI Takes Over Travel Planning

The role of travel agents is changing, with AI now doing a lot of the work. AI systems used by companies like Expedia or Kayak can find the best travel deals, customize your trip based on your preferences, and even adjust prices in real-time. Airbnb uses AI to match you with the perfect place to stay. This means fewer people are visiting travel agencies for basic bookings; instead, they’re using AI for planning, leaving human agents to handle more complex or luxury travel arrangements.

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6. Bank Tellers: Digital Banking on the Rise

Banks are using AI to change how we do banking, reducing the need for tellers. With apps from banks like Chase or Wells Fargo, you can do most banking tasks from home, like depositing checks by taking a picture or applying for loans. ATMs now handle more tasks too. This shift means fewer tellers are needed for simple transactions. Instead, bank staff are becoming more like financial advisors, offering advice on investments or big financial decisions.

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7. Bookkeepers: Robots Run the Books

Modern AI bookkeeping software has transformed financial record-keeping. QuickBooks Online now automatically categorizes business expenses with 90% accuracy and reconciles bank statements in minutes instead of hours. Xero’s machine-learning algorithms detect duplicate entries and flag unusual transactions, reducing errors by 65%. FreshBooks automatically generates financial reports and tracks billable hours, saving small businesses an average of 16 hours per month. Today’s bookkeepers spend 70% less time on data entry and instead focus on strategic tasks like cash flow forecasting, tax planning, and financial advisory services.

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8. Proofreaders: AI Improves Text Accuracy

AI proofreading tools have revolutionized document review processes. Grammarly’s advanced algorithms catch 86% of grammar and punctuation errors and offer real-time style suggestions across 30+ document types. Major publishing houses like Penguin Random House use AI tools to screen manuscripts, reducing initial proofreading time from 8 hours to 2 hours per manuscript. Human proofreaders now concentrate on high-value tasks like preserving author voice, ensuring cultural sensitivity, and maintaining narrative consistency – elements that require deep contextual understanding that AI still struggles with.

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9. Receptionists: Virtual Greetings

Modern AI phone systems can handle hundreds of calls at once without missing a beat. When someone calls, the AI can look up their information in systems like Salesforce right away, making each call feel personal. Companies that use these AI receptionists spend less than half what they used to on handling calls, and they can now take calls around the clock. But human receptionists haven’t gone away; they’ve just changed jobs. They now focus on helping important visitors and handling tricky situations that need a personal touch. Some things, like understanding complex problems or making visitors feel truly welcome, still need a human’s warmth and wisdom.

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10. Medical Transcriptionists: AI Transcribes Patient Consultations

In healthcare, AI is now capable of transcribing medical consultations with high accuracy, even understanding specialized medical terms. Tools like Nuance’s Dragon Medical One are used in places like the Mayo Clinic to convert doctors’ spoken notes into text during patient visits. This speeds up the process of recording patient information, but human transcriptionists are still necessary for complex cases or when AI might misinterpret something, ensuring accuracy in patient records.

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11. Insurance Underwriters: AI’s Risk Assessment

Insurance decisions that once took a month now happen in two days, thanks to AI. At companies like Prudential, smart systems analyze everything from Fitbit data to social media posts, catching 40% more risky cases than human reviewers. When someone applies for life insurance, AI tools immediately dig through their medical history, driving records, and even their online shopping habits to spot potential risks. Human underwriters haven’t disappeared, but their work has changed dramatically – they now focus on complex cases like new tech startups or unusual business risks that AI can’t evaluate on its own.

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12. Library Assistants: Digital Libraries and AI

The New York Public Library uses BookBot to find books for readers in seconds. This AI knows what you like to read and can search millions of books in 100 languages. It also spots which books are popular with kids, teens, or adults. Most library work has flipped. Machines do the sorting while humans teach new skills. Library assistants now help older people read news online, teach students to spot fake information, and run computer classes where card catalogs once sat. In college libraries, AI handles seven out of ten basic questions, so staff can focus on helping with harder research problems.

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13. Assembly Line Workers: Robots on the Line

Toyota’s Texas factory showcases how AI has transformed manufacturing. Smart robots spot defects from 20 feet away and assemble complex parts three times faster than human workers. While basic assembly jobs have dropped 60%, worker roles have evolved significantly. At Ford’s newest plant, five skilled workers now manage robot teams that replace 30 traditional assembly jobs, and these robot managers earn twice their previous salaries. Former line workers use tablets to program and monitor these machines, solving complex problems that AI can’t handle alone. BMW and Volkswagen have invested $50 million each in programs to retrain assembly workers for these higher-paying technical roles, showing how factory work is becoming more skilled even as it becomes more automated.

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14. Taxi Drivers: The Age of Autonomous Vehicles

Waymo’s self-driving taxis in Phoenix already handle 10,000 rides weekly without human drivers, using AI to navigate complex traffic patterns and adjust routes instantly during rush hour. These autonomous cars have driven over 20 million miles with 90% fewer accidents than human drivers. Yet, it’s not all robot cars. Traditional taxi drivers are adapting by offering premium services that AI can’t match. In New York, some veteran cabbies now earn 30% more by focusing on luxury transport and personalized city tours, proving there’s still room for human expertise in modern transportation.

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15. Truck Drivers: Long Hauls Go Autonomous

Similar to taxi drivers, the future of truck driving is veering towards automation. TuSimple’s AI-powered trucks now complete 1,000-mile routes between Phoenix and Dallas 10 hours faster than human drivers while using 40% less fuel. The trucks use advanced radar to see through heavy rain and fog, conditions that often force human drivers to stop. Experienced truckers aren’t just retiring, though. Companies like UPS are hiring them as “autonomous fleet managers,” where they monitor up to five self-driving trucks at once from high-tech control centers, focusing on complex urban deliveries that AI still struggles with.

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16. Fast Food Workers: AI in the Kitchen

Fast food chains are increasingly implementing AI for order taking, food preparation, and even cooking. McDonald’s AI-powered drive-thrus can now handle 250 orders per hour, compared to 170 with human workers, and they never get orders wrong. At Caliburger in California, a robot named Flippy makes 150 perfect burgers hourly while reducing food waste by 20%. Workers now focus on customer experience and quality control, and many have become “kitchen tech specialists,” managing the AI systems and handling special orders. These new roles typically pay $3-5 more per hour than traditional fast food jobs.

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17. Meter Readers: Smart Meters Take Over

ConEdison’s smart meter network in New York now monitors 5 million homes automatically, detecting power outages instantly and saving $420 million yearly in labor costs. These AI-powered meters can spot water leaks before they cause damage and adjust electricity usage during peak times to save homeowners money. Former meter readers haven’t all lost their jobs – many now work as “grid technicians,” using data from these smart meters to predict and prevent system failures.

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18. Mail Carriers: Drones and Automated Sorting

The Post Office runs differently now. USPS machines sort 30,000 packages per hour. Humans could only handle 3,000. Drones deliver mail, too. In North Dakota’s rural towns, flying robots carry 35% of packages, even during snowstorms. Amazon’s drones deliver 75,000 packages monthly in Texas and California. Mail carriers do new jobs now. They plan routes for drones and trucks, watch the weather, and handle special deliveries that need signatures. However, USPS only hires one new carrier for every five retirees. Each year, more packages fly by drone while humans deliver the ones that need a personal touch.

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19. Legal Assistants: AI in the Law Office

AI is transforming legal work by automating document review, contract analysis, and even predicting legal outcomes based on historical data. JPMorgan’s AI system reviews complex contracts in seconds, which is work that used to take legal assistants 360,000 hours annually. The software catches 95% of errors and potential legal issues but hasn’t eliminated legal assistant jobs. Instead, these professionals now specialize in client communication and complex research, with many becoming “legal technology coordinators” who combine legal knowledge with tech expertise.

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20. Market Research Analysts: AI’s Data Dive

Adobe’s AI market research tools analyze millions of social media posts daily, spotting trending products months before traditional surveys would. These systems track consumer behavior across 50 different data points, predicting market trends with 80% accuracy. Market researchers now spend less time gathering data and more time interpreting AI insights. At companies like Nielsen, analysts have become “consumer insight strategists,” combining AI findings with human intuition to spot opportunities that pure data might miss.

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21. Customer Service Representatives: The Chatbot Revolution

Say goodbye to those long waits on hold with customer service; AI chatbots are taking over, and they’re pretty good at it! Amazon’s “Amazon Connect” is one example where these clever bots handle millions of customer queries, from tracking your package to soothing your frustrations when things go awry. But don’t worry; humans aren’t completely out of the loop. They’re still there for those moments when you need a human touch or when the chatbot can’t quite grasp your unique problem. Bank of America’s Erica, for instance, has become a digital friend to millions, but when the going gets tough, human reps step in to save the day.

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22. Loan Officers: AI’s New Role in Finance

The finance world is changing as AI now assesses your life story, including education, job history, and social media, to determine loan eligibility. Upstart is at the forefront, using AI for swift and equitable loan decisions. This shift reduces the need for loan officers in routine tasks, turning them into financial strategists. They now focus on unique cases and personalized financial plans, adding a human touch where AI can’t. It’s an era where AI handles the grunt work, and humans bring the empathy.

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23. Claims Adjusters: AI as the Claims Detective

In insurance, AI systems are taking on the role of detective, much like Lemonade’s innovative approach. This AI examines every photo, document, and past claim with a fine-tooth comb to validate insurance claims. This leaves human claims adjusters to focus on the more intricate cases where a human’s judgment and empathy are irreplaceable. Allstate’s AI-driven initial assessments exemplify how technology can enhance rather than replace human roles.

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24. Security Guards: Smart Cameras Replace Night Patrols

Walmart’s AI cameras catch 200 shoplifters monthly without human guards. These systems scan faces, spot fights before they start, and detect strange behavior. At big office buildings, Verkada’s smart cameras watch 500 doors at once, sending alerts only when something looks wrong. One AI system does the work of 12 human guards. Mall security jobs drop fast. The Mall of America cut 60% of night patrol staff after installing AI cameras. The guards who keep their jobs work in control rooms now. They watch camera feeds and respond when AI spots real trouble, like a break-in or a medical emergency. But regular patrol jobs disappear as machines get better at watching empty halls all night long.focus on double-checking AI’s work and solving tricky legal problems that computers can’t figure out yet.

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25. Property Appraisers: AI Values Homes Fast

Zillow’s computer prices houses in 15 minutes. Human appraisers needed four days to do the same job. The AI looks at 100 things about each house: the kitchen, the neighborhood, and even local crime rates. It gets prices right 95% of the time. Banks trust these quick AI prices now. Wells Fargo uses them for most loans under $400,000, cutting out human appraisers from regular house sales. In California, CoreLogic’s AI values 2,000 homes every day, doing the work of 50 human appraisers. The only appraisal jobs left focus on unusual properties like mansions and farms.

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26. Billing and Posting Clerks: Automation Takes Over

Billing clerks watch computers take over their jobs. QuickBooks handles 1,000 invoices in the time a human processes 10. At UPS, AI sends 90% of customer bills automatically and follows up on late payments without human help. Bank of America’s billing software spots payment errors in seconds and fixes 95% of mistakes on its own. Big companies only hire one billing clerk when they used to need eight. The few clerks who remain don’t type in numbers anymore. Instead, they handle angry customer calls and fix the weird problems computers can’t solve.

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27. Inventory Clerks: AI Manages the Stock

Target’s new AI system spots low stock before shelves go empty. Their automated inventory trackers scan 100,000 products per hour, work that used to take six clerks an entire day. At Walmart, smart shelves with weight sensors and cameras track items in real-time, cutting out-of-stock products by 50% while needing 70% fewer human counters. The SAP inventory AI predicts what will sell out three weeks ahead, ordering new stock automatically. Most inventory clerks now work differently: instead of counting items, they supervise these AI systems and handle unusual situations, like when a viral TikTok video suddenly makes a random product sell out overnight.

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28. Warehouse Workers: Robots Lead the Charge

Warehouses are no longer just about human labor; they’re becoming tech havens. With companies like Ocado using robots for picking and packing, human workers are transitioning from physical labor to roles that require oversight, problem-solving, and managing these robotic teams. Amazon and DHL illustrate this shift, where humans are now more about ensuring the technology works seamlessly, handling complex or unique tasks, and maintaining the balance between human ingenuity and robotic efficiency.

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