The AI tech boom has provided companies across industries with incredible tools to complete a wide range of tasks faster and more efficiently. Workers are now more capable than ever in many ways because of AI systems. Yet, given the impact of historic innovations like the printing press and computers, employment experts believe AI will do more harm than good to the job market and career stability over the next decade.
Key takeaways:
- There is no part of the job market untouched by AI. There’s no doubt artificial intelligence is speeding up job displacement and changing employer expectations. This makes college and career planning more complex. Many entry-level and white-collar jobs are automated now.
- There is no such thing as a fully “AI-proof” major. Asking which degree is completely safe from AI is the wrong question. Better to ask which careers require uniquely human skills while preparing to work with AI technologies.
- Some career fields are at a greater risk of AI automation than others. Jobs most vulnerable to an AI takeover are those that rely on repetitive, data-driven, or routine cognitive tasks, such as data processing, customer service, programming, translation, writing, graphic design, and bookkeeping.
- It is essential to understand how AI works and how to use it to your advantage. Rather than trying to completely avoid AI, students are encouraged to learn how to use it effectively. This will give you an advantage in the job market.
- The most AI-resistant fields are those requiring human judgment, hands-on work, and interpersonal skills. There are many things a bot will never be able to do as well as a human being. Focus on fields that require human oversight, empathy, physical presence, and accountability, like healthcare, education, construction, trades, law, and even AI development itself.
How Does AI Affect Degree Choices and Employment?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers switched jobs 9 to 12 times on average over their lifetimes before the widespread use of AI. These changes often occurred due to promotions within the same company or industry, the phase-out of specific roles, or transitions to entirely different careers. College graduates also experienced roughly four spells of unemployment on average over their working years. Employment and tech researchers have estimated that dependence on artificial intelligence will adversely increase these numbers in every industry. College-bound students must consider the full workplace potential of AI systems before selecting a career path.
“The anxiety around AI stealing jobs is nothing new. You can see the same pattern in every wave of technology, from the internet to the self-checkout at your local grocery store. Some people will always prefer a human to do a job rather than a machine, and even the AI itself needs someone to manage it. So the honest answer to a prospective college student is that most careers that exists today will still exist in some form in the future. It’ll just look a bit different.” –Jono Ellis, CPO, Cognito Education
When choosing an undergraduate degree program and major in the past, high school students and others always had to consider not only their dreams and personal goals but also current and potential career and employment trends. That said, specific careers were considered “safe” against mass layoffs and phaseout. AI has changed the career landscape. Large language and generative AI systems and robots will inevitably develop faster abilities and more extensive skills than humans. These tools won’t produce gradual changes in the employment market or workplaces. New tech innovations will rapidly cause job instability and layoffs.
Students must rule out careers already threatened by AI or modify their goals within those fields. They must learn as much as possible about the threats to other fields of study and methods for making themselves irreplaceable in their dream career roles. The high cost of a post-secondary education these days means that incoming college students should attempt to make the best choice or changes to their majors during their freshman year.
Which Basic Jobs Are No Longer Considered Safe?
Over the past 50 years or so, many college graduates with at least 2 or 4 years of education could rely on specific first-time jobs to earn living wages while applying for work in their career fields. Their only competition was high school graduates with past experience. In some cases, college graduates would even keep these jobs and pursue their dream jobs on the side.
Now? Companies are transitioning to AI systems and letting go of human workers in the following previously solid work areas:
- Data Processing: Most business and organization owners and administrators no longer need warm bodies to key-enter information into computer systems to create and manage digital records and files or complete data sorting projects. With so many digital devices in workplaces, many companies are phasing out paper hard copies to make data sharing easier. AI systems can also effortlessly extract data from photoscanned documents. Since AI systems work faster, companies no longer need data processors or typists either to rapidly type new data into fields or onto documents.
- Customer Service: Remote and in-person AI tools can seamlessly fulfill many customer requests. Negative interactions between customers and AI systems that cause confusion, stress and negative outcomes also cost most businesses less than salaries, overtime, and health insurance. AI won’t be replacing every worker that provides some form of email, phone or text-based customer service this year, but it has already hit the customer service industry hard. Plenty of appointment setters and schedulers, billing agents, call center reps, and secretaries have suddenly found themselves out of work and submitting unemployment claims. Modern AI tools can provide answers to common questions, track schedules, set and change appointments, monitor and reschedule deliveries, record calls and share voicemails or transcripts, file complaints or positive feedback, complete insurance and warranty claim requests, check billing and accept or set up payments, issue refunds, and arrange accommodations like prescription refills and travel plans. These systems can even provide basic remote computer and tech support.
- Sales and Telemarketing: Businesses can also use AI to improve efficiency and scalability without worrying about the expenses of a sales force. Sales jobs with base pay and commissions used to be among the most stable opportunities after college graduation. With AI, businesses no longer have to pay for training, track call handle times, or deal with employee hesitation, demotivation, social distractions or fatigue. They don’t have to lose money paying workers to take bathroom breaks, stay at home while sick, or enjoy a vacation. With recent technology updates that improve how AI agents sound during communications, industry leaders can rely on AI technologies to take over most sales activities. AI tools can analyze data to select prospects or identify new consumer behavioral changes and buying trends; make and accept marketing and sales contacts; and perform pitches. AI can also monitor interactions for specific concerns or pain points, counter instantly with compelling arguments, mimic emotional responses, and perform scheduling tasks. AI can even detect new product and service ideas, forward concepts to appropriate teams, handle escalated matters, and share related reports. As time passes and natural changes occur, such as events, holidays, seasons and consumer-buying trends, AI can help business owners and managers adjust their marketing campaigns without waiting for human feedback and team-level agreements.
Which Formerly Stable Careers Are Now Unsafe?
Before widespread AI usage and the COVID-19 pandemic, many white-collar workers with specialized bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees had little difficulty starting or transitioning into dream career positions that allowed them to claim top wages. Competition existed, but their college studies gave them cognitive and physical capabilities, industry- and position-specific knowledge and jargon, and hands-on skills from externships or internships as leverage. The physical paper copy of their degree alone could open doors.
These workers now face an uncertain future because the majority of their tasks involved working with and providing insights about specific topic data or generating end products unique to their skills. AI tech makes human input for these roles mostly unnecessary.
- Archivists and Historians: Since AI systems can scan, input, sort, summarize, and share archival and historical data rapidly, fewer people are needed to read and interpret data from old stored documents or track and record history as it unfolds.
- Basic Programmers: Many graduates who focused on future programming and related tech industry jobs in the last few decades now compete against AI systems that can complete coding for software creation and updating tasks within a third or less of the time as humans.
- Graphic Designers: Generative AI and prefabricated template content have flooded the marketplace. Students studying graphic design can’t compete unless they focus on interactive options heavily supported by AI tools, such as games, motion graphics, product design, story development, and user experience (UX).
- Interpreters, Linguists and Translators: While AI language apps often struggle with nuanced cultural interpretations, these tools almost instantly process, translate, and interpret voice and written data in nearly every language in real time.
- Writers: AI writing tools rapidly digest and proofread human-written content and offer editorial suggestions, such as grammatical and speech changes, with one-click or manual human approvals. These tools can mimic different types of content, unique writing styles, and voices of past and current authors, online writers, journalists, bloggers, editors and others.
Are There Any Surprising Threats From AI?
As leaders of businesses around the world continue to try to streamline their processes and save as much money as possible by reducing their workforces via implementation of AI alternatives, a list of threatened jobs has emerged that would have surprised employment experts in past years. These roles were previously considered untouchable:
- Back-End Office Workers: Bookkeepers and payroll clerks, medical records personnel, and human resources specialists primarily perform data-driven tasks. As noted by Brookings Institution economist Mark Muro in a June 10, 2026, article for The New York Times titled “The Hidden Workers Most Threatened by A.I.,” back-office “anchor jobs” are expected to soon feel the brunt of AI’s adverse effect on the employment industry. While many experts are looking at the most obvious hard-hit jobs, Muro reminded journalist Ben Casselman that everyone must “keep our eye on what is occurring across the entire labor market and in all of these occupations.” Stanford accounting professor Jung Ho Choi gave additional insight. He explained that back-office jobs aren’t seen as the main “function” of a business, which makes them more appealing for cuts.
- Concierge Professionals: Many college graduates decide to offer customized, one-on-one services as self-employed professionals or work as employees of concierge firms. Although some of these experts will continue to be highly sought for their knowledge in a one-on-one, high-paying capacity, anyone who only offers general problem-solving services will struggle to compete against AI tools that offer similar services. For example, a primary care physician who provides in-home and condition-specific concierge services isn’t going to deal with as much risk from AI as someone whose professional offering is generic lifestyle management. Plenty of AI-supported apps can quickly use demographics and answers to common questions asked by life planning and coaching concierge specialists to provide helpful advice, organizational tools, and assistant support.
- Finance Representatives: College graduates in finance are discovering that they can’t rely on previously stable positions like bank teller, financial advisor or loan officer. Many common financial services are now effortlessly handled by AI systems and automation tools. For example, bank customers can deposit cash via ATMs and checks via smartphone apps. They can receive loan applications, obtain loan approvals and denials, and request financial planning recommendations via apps and online platforms.
- Fitness and Healthcare Workers: Many of the duties performed by telehealth and in-person nurses and nurse practitioners can now be completed via app-based and online self-reporting AI tools. For example, anyone who primarily provides preliminary diagnostic support during face-to-face and remote appointments is at high risk from free AI tools that merely require a patient to input their health data and symptoms for basic information and next-step advice. Mental health counseling and therapy AI tools are gaining traction as well. Patients perceive these options as providing similar support without a high price tag or long appointment wait times. These same tools make it more difficult for fitness gurus who focus only on in-person meal or life-planning solutions to obtain and retain clients.
- Models and Voice Actors: Generative AI systems have become so adept at mimicking human appearance and speech that many fashion and entertainment workers have been forced to switch their careers to entirely different fields. Sadly, some students don’t receive enough warning about this problem before college. Some students also believe they can weather the AI storm and eventually obtain a stable modeling or voice-acting career, even with fierce human competition and the threat of their visual likeness and voice eventually training AI systems designed to replace them.
- Outreach and Support Reps: Workers who provide outreach and support to people in need often offer little more than referrals to resources. Their higher-than-average research abilities in the community and social services industry at healthcare centers, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, shelters and other locations previously provided them with stable incomes and lifelong careers. AI systems and the internet now supply the same details almost instantly with the right keyword and phrase prompts and searches. Since members of the public are becoming more tech-literate and more site administrators with low budgets are seeking ways to cut spending, outreach and support staff must now prove their continued worth. They must expand their service offerings and show how their unique personal connections and relationships in the community can help a higher number of clients faster. They must also successfully argue the reasons AI can’t do the same.
What Role Does AI Adaptability Play?
In April, Microsoft’s researchers published a report about the long-term impact of AI on current work roles. Other surprising careers that face the highest impact from AI in terms of process changes, new training, and job loss include:
- Broadcast Announcers
- Radio DJs
- Geographers
- Passenger Attendants
- PR Specialists
- Revenue Agents
- Tax Examiners and Collectors
In each of these areas, AI tools can perform at least half of the primary required work tasks better than humans. That said, college students interested in pursuing careers from the above short list don’t have to worry about jobs disappearing immediately. Workers in these areas merely need to adapt to the threat by integrating AI into their work processes. This action allows them to free up time so they can offer more personal, positive experiences in face-to-face scenarios and double or even triple their work efficiency.
Microsoft also reported that specific careers are unlikely to face immediate AI adaptability issues. The top 10 are:
- Bridge and Lock Tenders
- Dredge Operators
- Floor Sanders and Finishers
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers
- Logging Equipment Operators
- Motorboat Operators
- Pile Driver Operators
- Orderlies
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
- Water Treatment Plant and System Operators
Changes to AI technologies have occurred at such a fast pace that this list can’t be trusted as an absolute guarantee of long-term career stability and safety. For example, orderlies in hospitals and care facilities who typically assist with patient feeding and hygiene, medical equipment relocation, and transportation aren’t protected from exposure to AI systems. The increased integration of the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) with the Internet of Things (IoT) via smartphones, tablets, vehicle dashboard navigation systems, and other support devices commonly used in healthcare means that even orderlies will eventually need to adapt and use AI more frequently or risk losing their jobs to competitors who possess the necessary skills.
How to Discover the Best Career Paths
“Look for jobs where you can make decisions and take responsibility. Nursing, teaching, and the trades are messy and subject to constant change. They need flexible, adaptable and connecting people. Practice makes perfect when it comes to listening, leading and planning. You can’t just download wisdom, it comes from experience and learning over time. Partner with AI, do not compete with AI. Think about the things you can do – it is only you. That’s the way to develop a career that lasts.” –Blake DeWitt, CEO, DeWitt Pharma
College-bound and current post-secondary students, their guardians and mentors are right to feel anxiety and worry about AI threats to the future of the job market. Many well-known companies previously trusted for job security, such as Amazon, Meta and Oracle, have invested so heavily in AI development that they’ve laid off “thousands” of workers in the first six months of 2026 alone. Small mom-and-pop and family-owned businesses are also using AI to save money while dealing with the impact of local, domestic and international crises. For example, many business owners are using free generative AI tools instead of paying marketing firms to create and post website, e-commerce, advertising and marketing content.
The reality is that there are no totally “AI-proof” undergraduate degrees and majors. Instead, college-bound and current college students must consider what they hope to achieve goal-wise with a specific career and in their lives and then ask critical AI-focused questions, such as the following:
1. Do I want a job that primarily deals with AI systems and related technologies?
2. Will I need to constantly stay up-to-date with technology changes in this field of study?
3. Are there any specialized jobs that don’t require AI tools or only use AI to slightly enhance or perfect outcomes?
4. Does a specific career primarily require human accountability, empathy, ethics, or complex and physical solutions?
These questions matter because they can help students narrow down their career options to the most stable and resilient ones while also staying true to their interests and dreams. The answers can help them recognize both AI limitations and integration issues.
For example, AI systems often make mistakes, especially when humans or AI agents initiate faulty updates or utilize bad data. As a result, these systems can’t fully replace tech repair and management jobs. AI also can’t replace humans in regulatory roles. AI systems struggle to provide correct answers and ethical judgments because foundational training focused more on models providing any answer that “sounds” correct, ethical, and human-like rather than true or safe answers.
Additionally, AI can’t provide real human connection or emotional support. According to the American Psychological Association, many AI chatbot apps designed to replace basic counselors for mental health support are unsafe. AI health and relationship tools can reduce user interactions with real people and exacerbate mental health conditions. Some AI options can even cause users to experience anxiety and stress that they didn’t feel prior to using the apps. Other common issues include incomplete assessment of medical concerns and symptoms; lack of necessary human knowledge, skills and regulatory oversight; cultural biases and misunderstandings; and spread of misinformation. Some tools promote false feelings of trust, act inconsistently and unsafely during crisis management, and make harmful recommendations to vulnerable users.
What Career Paths Offer Safety and Growth?
“I advise students to steer clear of seeking an ‘AI-proof degree.’ It is better to choose careers that require judgment, accountability, trust or hands-on decision making, and to use AI to aid in carrying out that work. Professions in the healthcare sector, the field of cybersecurity, skilled trades, engineering or education fall into this category.” –Lin Meyer, CEO, Crucial Exams
1. AI and Robot Technicians
Modern technologies require human input and oversight. Anyone who works in an AI or technology design, management or repair role has nothing to fear in the age of AI, unless they fail to pursue lifelong learning or meet regular educational and certification requirements. Related career paths include AI architects and designers, auditors, ethicists, prompt engineers, and trainers.
Degree pathways:
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s in Robotics Technology
- Mechatronics Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering Technology
- Bachelor’s in Computer Science with a focus on AI/Machine Learning
- Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering (for robotics hardware focus)
2. Cybersecurity Professionals
Cybersecurity analysts, engineers and others deal with more than AI security issues. They help guarantee protection of all data, digital assets, networks, software and hardware. AI tools help cybersecurity professionals test current systems, make improvements, and neutralize threats faster, but AI will never provide 100% error-free results. Security professionals must also often perform in-person investigations of security threats and installation and repair of security systems.
Degree pathways:
- Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity or Information Security
- Bachelor’s in Computer Science with a security concentration
- Bachelor’s in Information Technology
- Network Administration Associate’s degree paired with industry certifications (Security+, CISSP, CEH) for entry-level roles
3. Construction Managers
Robots might replace the majority of construction workers one day. When that happens, projects will still need managers to direct the work and handle major disruptive events that require complex human problem-solving skills and decisions. Construction managers regularly interact with clients, vendors and other human contacts in person. They’re also better than AI at handling emergencies.
Degree pathways:
- Bachelor’s in Construction Management or Construction Science
- Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering
- Bachelor’s in Architectural Engineering
- Associate’s in Construction Technology combined with field experience
4. Professional Service Providers
The term “professional service providers” refers to AI-resistant careers that require in-person interactions and intensive hands-on labor, such as electricians, HVAC technicians and plumbers. Some jobs cross over into other AI categories. For example, crossover roles include cosmetologists, estate planners, hairdressers, massage therapists, personal coaches and trainers.
Degree pathways: This field works differently from the others, as most of these careers rely on vocational training, apprenticeships, and licensing rather than a traditional college degree.
6. Art and Entertainment Careers
Although generative AI has harmed many artists, a growing number of consumers only want “human-made” art and entertainment. Many patrons of the arts have shown a willingness to pay top dollar for original human creations. Not all high-risk art careers will disappear entirely, either. Instead, demand will increase for similar roles. For example, many business owners and media outlets value human-written content. In the AI field, writers can even transition to roles as fact-checkers or flesh out outlines and improve upon or entirely “refresh” other text-based AI content.
Degree pathways:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre, Dance, or Acting — for performers pursuing stage, film, or television work
- Bachelor’s in Film and Television Production or Media Arts — for directing, cinematography, editing, and production roles
- Bachelor’s in Music Performance, Music Production, or Music Business — for musicians, composers, sound engineers, or those managing artists and labels
- Bachelor’s in Graphic Design, Animation, or Visual Effects (VFX) — for digital art, game design, animation studios, and post-production work
- Bachelor’s in Arts Administration or Entertainment Business/Management — for producers, talent managers, festival/venue directors, and industry business roles
- Associate’s degree or certificate programs in Audio Engineering, Video Editing, or Stage Production — faster, skills-focused entry points for technical crew and production roles
7. Education and School Staff
In the education sector, secondary and post-secondary school administrators, maintenance personnel and educators are in high demand, especially special educators who can help with complex student cases that require close in-person relationships and the ability to rapidly reassess and change plans during health emergencies. Some schools have started to experiment with AI-led classrooms. That said, teachers are still necessary to check AI systems for biases and the spread of misinformation, confirm the accuracy of student homework and exam answers, address complex, difficult or emotion-based questions and scenarios, and assist with technology upgrades.
Degree pathways:
- Bachelor’s in Elementary Education
- Secondary Education Bachelor’s in a specific subject area (Math, English, Science, etc.) with a teaching certification/credential program
- Master’s in Teaching (MAT) for career-changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree
- Bachelor’s in Special Education for those interested in working with students with disabilities
8. Legal Positions
Courts and government agencies require legal professionals to possess specific licenses and certifications that tech companies can’t currently obtain for their informational and generative AI tools. AI models have too much difficulty with spreading misinformation and struggle with context-specific and nuanced legal interpretations. These systems also can’t feel empathy or clearly represent humans in areas like accountability and responsibility. Common positions include attorneys, law clerks, judges, and police officers.
Degree pathways:
- Bachelor’s degree in any field (pre-law is not required) followed by a Juris Doctor (J.D.)
- Common pre-law bachelor’s choices: Political Science, Criminal Justice, History, English, or Philosophy (strong reading/writing/argumentation skills)
- Paralegal Associate’s degree or Certificate (for legal support roles without becoming an attorney)
- Bachelor’s in Pre-Law programs offered at some universities, then J.D.
9. Earth Scientists, Engineers and Planners
These careers focus on the physical study and alteration of natural and human-designed environments and involve strict regulations and compliance. Top positions in this category are architects, civil engineers, climate scientists, environmental scientists, farmers, interior designers, landscape planners, related policymakers, renewable energy specialists, regional, rural and urban planners, and plant and soil scientists.
Degree pathways:
- Associate’s in Renewable Energy Technology or Solar/Wind Technician programs
- Bachelor’s in Geology or Geosciences
- Bachelor’s in Environmental Science
- Bachelor’s in Atmospheric Science or Meteorology
- Bachelor’s in Oceanography (for marine-focused earth science careers)
- Bachelor’s in Renewable Energy Engineering or Energy Systems Engineering
- Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering (common path into solar/wind technology)
- Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering with a renewable energy focus
- Bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering
- Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering with an environmental concentration
- Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering (useful for pollution control and treatment systems)
- Master’s in Environmental Engineering
10. Healthcare
People will always need healthcare. According to a 2023 U.S. Career Institute article titled “Top 65 Jobs Safest from AI & Robot Automation,” most of the top jobs expected to experience the highest amount of growth over the next five years are in the healthcare industry. These positions include nurse practitioners (45.7% growth) and physician assistants (27.6% growth), even with the threat of AI tools forcing them to adapt away from basic diagnostic roles or risk job loss.
Degree pathways:
- Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) for RN roles, or Associate’s in Nursing (ADN) for a faster entry point
- Pre-med Bachelor’s (Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry) followed by an M.D. or D.O. for physicians
- Bachelor’s in Health Sciences, Public Health, or Health Administration for non-clinical healthcare careers
- Allied health degrees (Radiologic Technology, Physical Therapy Assistant, Medical Laboratory Science) for specialized clinical roles
10. Mental Health & Wellness
Other high-growth health-related jobs focus on mental and physical healing, healthy living and longevity, medical emergencies and the next generation of workers. The long list includes therapists (marriage and family, occupational, and physical); speech-language pathologists; emergency medical technicians; firefighters; hospitalists; critical care nurses; surgeons; neurologists; neuropsychologists; pharmacists; fitness and wellness coordinators; sports medicine physicians; preventative medicine physicians; social workers; and post-secondary nursing instructors and teachers.
Degree pathways:
- Bachelor’s in Psychology, then a Doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology
- Master’s in Psychology as a stepping stone toward doctoral programs (varies by state licensing requirements)
- Pre-med Bachelor’s (Biology, Chemistry, or Psychology), followed by an M.D. or D.O., then a psychiatry residency
- Bachelor’s in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work
- Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy (required for licensure as an LPC or LMFT)
- Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW)
- Master’s in Social Work (MSW) — required for clinical licensure (LCSW)
- Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN), then Master’s as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Allows for both therapy and medication management in many states, with more direct RN-to-NP pathway options than becoming a psychiatrist
- Certificate or Associate’s in Health Coaching, Life Coaching, or Wellness Coaching
- Bachelor’s in Health Sciences, Public Health, or Kinesiology for broader wellness program roles
- Specialized certifications (yoga instruction, mindfulness-based stress reduction, nutrition coaching) to complement a wellness practice
Students must keep in mind that they’re not limited to these top 10 areas. Some at-risk careers and positions associated with specific degrees and majors currently offered at colleges and universities aren’t going away overnight. In many cases, work responsibilities and titles will merely change over time as more people use AI in their day-to-day lives. For this reason, students should add AI-focused coursework and minors to their educational plans. Starting with their freshman year, they should also seek volunteer work, externships and internships related to their chosen field of study. So-called “stacking” of major- and AI-specific studies with industry- and position-specific hands-on work will give them critical knowledge and skills. With thorough preparation for the job market, new job seekers will be better able to compete, adapt to emerging AI changes, and maintain employment stability as they travel along their career tracks.