While AI is posing a risk to some posts, others remain insulated and new positions are even being created as a result of the technology

With the artificial intelligence revolution underway but still in its infancy, questions around whether the technology will put paid to human jobs are understandably swirling, with recent news of job cuts at Docler Holding reportedly directly related to AI putting the issue even more firmly in the limelight.

Do we really need to be so worried about AI replacing us? Which jobs can be replaced, or have already been replaced? We asked AI apps for some answers.

"The normal worker will not be completely replaced by AI, but the world of work will be fundamentally transformed," Perplexity said. "Routine tasks are disappearing, many activities are being automated, while new occupational fields and tasks are emerging - the future lies in the interaction between man and machine."

"This is a very important and much-discussed question - and the answer is nuanced," said Microsoft Copilot. "Artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly changing the world of work, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the 'normal worker' will be completely replaced."

But which professions are particularly under threat? ChatGPT compiled a list of likely answers:

"We can't predict the future, but there are a number of professions that are at risk of substitution," said Luca Ratti, associate professor in European and comparative labour law at the University of Luxembourg.

Over the course of decades, even centuries, many manual jobs have been replaced by machines. Today, however, it seems manual jobs are the ones safest from being rendered obsolete at the hands of AI. "It can't replace a plumber or a craftsman," Ratti said.

This time, it is 'intellectual workers' on the front line; especially those who perform repetitive tasks. Ratti is keen to point out, however, that it is "not the workers, but their tasks" that are being replaced by AI. Processes will be automated, but employees may be able to "reinvent themselves", stressed Ratti, a challenge which is also the responsibility of employers, who must redefine employees' main tasks.

There are two broad strains of AI, Ratti explained. The first are Horizontal AI systems, which offer comprehensive, universally applicable functions such as natural language processing or image recognition, which can be used in various industries and functions.

Vertical AI systems, on the other hand, are specialised, in-depth solutions that are tailored to the data, languages and workflows of an individual industry or a specific problem. This includes, for example, fraud detection in the financial sector, legal research or disease diagnostics in the healthcare sector.

"It seems that the trend towards verticalisation will lead to more and more tools being developed for the people who work in these areas," Ratti said.

It is also inevitable that artificial intelligence will create new jobs, according to Ratti. "There are more and more small start-ups working on AI and developing AI systems. So it's a fantastic centre of attraction for new jobs. For existing professions, it will primarily be a strengthening of the skills of the individual," he explained.

However, increasing use of artificial intelligence brings a number of oversight challenges. These include "monitoring, predictability of tasks or evaluation of tasks", said Ratti, who is concerned that decisions could also be biased by the system.

If an employee leaves a decision to AI by, for example, writing "This is situation XYZ. What can I do about it?", AI's response should be limited by law, Ratti believes. "It is necessary for the law to intervene and set limits by establishing procedures for what can and cannot be done to appeal against decisions that are ultimately made by the employer but are actually automated decisions," he said.

There are already two EU regulations on artificial intelligence, the AI Act and the Platform Work Directive, both of which were adopted in 2024. The AI Act is the first comprehensive legal framework for AI, which aims to promote trustworthy AI in Europe.

"This means that employers must be careful and carry out due diligence before using AI systems in the workplace," Ratti said. "They must constantly monitor and report on how they use AI systems and inform the people concerned and representatives about the use of these systems."

The Platform Work Directive is the most advanced EU law dealing with algorithmic management, according to Ratti - though it is exclusively aimed at digital platforms, like those for ridesharing, taxis, food delivery and more. "This directive is very progressive because it deals in detail with what platforms may and may not do."