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Despite the looming threat of job disruptions due to artificial intelligence, blue-collar workers will likely see a job boom in the foreseeable future.

What Happened: The rise of artificial intelligence and automation technologies has left many professionals across various sectors concerned about the security of their jobs. It has been reported that AI could potentially affect nearly one billion knowledge workers globally and eliminate 14 million jobs. 

However, sectors such as skilled trades, intensive manual labor, and roles that require a blend of physical, knowledge, and social work are less likely to be significantly impacted by this shift, reported Business Insider.

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Several factors contribute to the resilience of these professions, including factors like the retirement of older Americans and increasing demand in sectors like healthcare, green energy, high-tech manufacturing, and construction; blue-collar jobs are expected to see a surge, according to the prediction of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Blue-collar employees play essential roles in healthcare, construction, and maintenance, where human touch and adaptability are irreplaceable. The fastest-growing job sectors are predicted to be healthcare, transportation, renewable energy, and high-tech manufacturing. 

A substantial number of new workers will find opportunities in healthcare and social support, as well as in the construction industry.

On the other hand, adopting AI is also expected to augment some jobs, leading to higher productivity growth over the coming decade. The World Economic Forum’s report with Accenture revealed that jobs with high personal interaction and nonroutine physical tasks were least likely to be disrupted by AI.

According to the report, jobs with the highest AI exposure are predicted to be architectural and civil drafters, Biological technicians, accountants, auditors, industrial designers, and credit analysts. 

Why It Matters: This development follows a report from February 2023 on AI replacing certain job roles like marketing, writing, customer service, security guards, and more, suggesting a shift in job market dynamics. 

In May, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman highlighted AI’s potential to disrupt traditional job markets and its role in worker upskilling and adaptation.

In July, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned that 27% of jobs are at high risk of becoming fully automated due to AI growth. However, the current trend suggests a silver lining for blue-collar jobs amidst AI-induced disruptions.

While AI continues to transform the job market, these developments show that certain sectors might actually benefit from this technological advancement, particularly those that require a mix of physical, knowledge, and social work.

This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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