Technologies are evolving fast and the world is changing with it. New tech developments are achieved with the goal of making our lives more comfortable, and that includes taking care of menial and heavy jobs. So, it’s only normal that some jobs that we know today are disappearing and will be replaced in the future. Based on our research, these are the jobs that will no longer exist in 20 years’ time.
Assembly Line Workers
Assembly line worker is one of the first jobs to disappear thanks to robotics development. Robots are already replacing manual labor in many factories and with the developments that make this technology more affordable, they will continue to replace these workers completely.
This may not be true today, especially in underdeveloped countries, but in 20 years it will likely become a reality. Robots can work 24/7 and they don’t get tired or get health problems. They come with other expenses but overall deliver more accurate results.
Telemarketers
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is advanced enough now that machines can handle customer interactions. Most companies have chatbots on their websites to answer basic questions. So, it is not farfetched to think that in 20 years, these AI algorithms could manage primary telemarketing contacts.
Some people believe a crucial part of telemarketing is the human connection between an agent and a client, which cannot be achieved with a machine. But with the rapid pace that AI is growing at, machines that can truly emulate human behavior and response are a real possibility. This puts the roles of telemarketers in danger of disappearing soon.
Drivers
Many companies are working on developing various prototypes of autonomous cars. Tesla models are one of the most advanced vehicles in the market with autopilot and other independent features. However, as of today, fully autonomous cars don’t exist yet in the market.
The main obstacle of this technology is the connection speed, but this will change soon with the implementation of 5G connections. So, in the years to come, we will start seeing autonomous vehicles in the streets, which significantly eliminates the need to have drivers.
Referees
The sports industry is one of the most lucrative fields in the world, garnering lots of attention and millions of spectators. This calls for improvements in many aspects to meet the demand of current fans. New technologies have entered the industry to produce accurate results and satisfy the fans who asked for fairer matches and rules.
Video technologies are already heavily used in sports like soccer, where they act as an aid to verify possible human mistakes. So, it is likely that in 20 years, referees are no longer needed in exchange for tech-powered devices. This isn’t certain, however, because some experts believe new technologies take certain emotions out of the game.
Cashiers
Cashiers are already disappearing from the payroll of many stores and supermarkets. Amazon, for example, has opened grocery stores that don’t need any workers at all; customers only need their smartphones and can handle the entire shopping process on their own. Without going too far into technology advancement, self-checkout machines already exist in conventional stores like Walmart and Target.
Plus, with the COVID-19 pandemic, self-checkout machines will become a necessity instead of a “fancy” technology. Cashiers are already in low demand so it is likely that the job will become obsolete 20 years from now.
Typists
Typists are already close to extinction, with most computers having voice recognition software that can type out anything you tell them to. Even smartphones and wearable devices have built-in voice recognition features. Today, a few typists still exist to assist with court-related documents, for instance, but in a few years, their service will likely be replaced by machines and software.
Travel Agents
With travel-related sites like Expedia, Google Flights, and Airbnb, the need for travel agents is low. Most people nowadays prefer to plan their own vacations instead of counting on the service of travel agents which typically comes with expensive fees. There are also a ton of websites with their own community of peer reviews to help other travelers out when it comes to things like accommodation, expenses, authentic experiences, and others. Therefore, it is safe to assume that travel agents are one of those jobs that are in danger of extinction.
What To Do?
If your current job is on this list, try not to panic. There are still a few years where you can take measures to find another profession. All these technological developments will bring many changes to the world and it doesn’t have to be a bad thing for you.
Technologies will trigger the creation of many new job positions. The difference is that it will be more technical opportunities. Therefore, you can start by learning a tech skill. There are many online courses, coding bootcamps, and free resources on the internet. That way, you will be prepared for the future.
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