A couple weeks ago I walked into a restaurant with my dad and he said, “Did you know one of the jobs that can’t be replaced by AI is a dishwasher?”

I argued that a robot could 100% wash a dish, which led to a heated debate where we argued what jobs can or cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence. This then led to an internet deep dive where my father and I researched what jobs can or cannot be replaced by AI. After weeks of research I have compiled a list of 7 jobs that can’t be replaced by AI currently and why they can hold their ground against our lovely robot friends (for now).

#1- Firefighters

A job known for its staff showcasing bravery, determination and quick thinking—firefighters are some of the world’s greatest heroes. From the looks of it they will continue to be able to hold that heroic title even with the rise of artificial intelligence.

It’s said that advancements in technology can help supplement the act of fighting fires through new drones that help analyze danger and predict outcomes. However, these robots cannot show the same empathy and judgement needed to be a true firefighter.

#2- Biomedical Engineering

If you’re worried about your future finances, you should look into biomedical engineering. This field closes the bridge between medicine and engineering by creating solutions for healthcare issues through the production of technology and developments in medical research. This occupation has a high pay grade and is not likely to be replaced by AI anytime soon. 

The ability to analyze data without bias is important for biomedical engineers, and AI currently doesn’t have the ability to look at data and disconnect it from prior programmed intelligence. It also takes problem solving skills beyond AI’s ability in order to handle complex systems used in the field.

#3- Anthropologists

Because anthropology is the study of human culture and development, it makes sense that the career can’t be overtaken by robots. However, it’s important to note that many other scientific fields face threats of AI taking their jobs, so if you want to be a scientist, anthropology may be a good field to look into. 

Anthropology requires a certain level of understanding of the human mind that AI cannot replicate. The specific insight and decision making made by anthropologists in order to develop understanding of human interaction is currently only achievable by humans themselves.

#4-Choreographers 

Many artistic occupations cannot be replaced by AI due to the needed individual creativity of many artistic forms; this includes choreographers. Choreographers actually have one of the slimmest chances out of every career of being replaced by artificial intelligence.

The only form of choreography that AI can replicate is the side that focuses on a simple style of dance. AI lacks the understanding of the storytelling connected to movement that makes the occupation of choreography what it is. It takes a certain emotional intelligence to do this job that AI does not have.

#5- Therapists

Whether it’s marriage, occupational, physical or family therapists, all of these fields require a degree of human connection in order to offer effective advice to patients. Many AI chatbots have been used as a form of therapy for people to discuss their issues with; however, artificial intelligence cannot offer the same amount of insight that a human therapist can.

A robot does not provide the same amount of ethical consideration as people. Being able to empathize with a patient is important in the therapist field and this level of consideration cannot be replicated by AI.

#6- Nurse Practitioner

Most occupations in the medical field do not face threats against artificial intelligence, so if you have a passion for healthcare, looking into the medical field would be good for you. Specifically nurse practitioners face the least amount of threat against AI.

Due to the gravity of human interpretation being a nurse practitioner requires, the occupation has a leg up on AI since AI cannot replicate those skills. A practitioner must be able to interpret and understand the needs of a human being and make clinical decisions that best fit a patient’s medical demands. Artificial intelligence doesn’t have the development at this point in time to be able to understand those concepts.

#7- Dishwasher

Here’s the one we have been waiting for—it’s true AI will not be replacing dishwashers anytime soon. While yes, I was correct that a robot can wash a dish, they cannot wash them with the same precision and consideration a human can.

A dishwasher must wash a dish with the mindset that the outcome has to be near spotless, so that often requires going back over certain stubborn spots. However a programmed AI robot will only do the movements they are coded to do;therefore, those stubborn spots will stay dirty. 

So, I suppose my father was correct: AI will not be taking over the dishwasher field in the near future.  

As you go into your future career planning, consider what fields are not looking to be overruled by AI in your lifetime. This will prevent you from being unemployed or possibly working alongside a robot. Let us know what you are planning on pursuing in the future and if you think you could be out AI-d.