If you thought the world’s most prized jobs were immune to the robot revolution, think again.
Wimbledon lines judges – a profession that dates back 147 years – have had their ‘love and passion ripped away’ after being dumped in favor of AI.
From 2025, a new AI-powered technology called electronic line calling (ELC) will be used to make close calls during matches instead.
So, could your career be next in the firing line?
A new study has revealed which jobs are at risk of being filled by robots, including some that require years of training and qualifications.
Researchers in Cambridge have found that many jobs not generally considered threatened by AI are at risk of being replaced
As Wimbledon replaces its linesmen with AI, experts reveal which careers could be next in the firing line
The new research was conducted by researchers from the British arm of research company Nokia Bell Labs, based in Cambridge.
For the study, the experts developed the Artificial Intelligence Impact (AII) score, which assesses how closely a profession’s tasks align with recent AI innovations.
It involved analyzing more than 24,000 AI-related patents filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office between 2015 and 2022.
The researchers found that many jobs that are not generally considered threatened by AI are at risk of being replaced.
“Our results show that some occupations will potentially be affected, and that impact is closely linked to specific skills,” they warn.
“This includes not only routine tasks, as previously thought, but also non-routine tasks (for example, diagnosing health problems, programming computers and tracking flight paths).”
At the very top of the risk list is a cardiovascular technologist/technician – a skilled job that involves diagnosing heart and blood vessel problems.
This normally requires an associate or bachelor’s degree in cardiovascular technology and the average salary is £37,000 per year.
The research team says that up to 60 percent of the tasks performed by cardiovascular technologists will likely be “replaced by AI-enhanced hardware.”
Number two is the audio engineer (someone who assembles equipment in recording studios), followed by the nuclear medicine technologist (someone who prepares and administers radioactive drugs).
Nuclear medicine involves the use of ‘tracers’ with a small amount of radioactivity to diagnose and treat conditions in the body (file photo)
AI is bringing big changes to the music industry – and the study suggests this will extend to replacing sound engineers (file photo)
Experts developed an Artificial Intelligence Impact (AII) score, which assesses how closely a profession’s tasks align with AI innovations. It included the analysis of more than 24,000 AI-related patents filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office between 2015 and 2022.
Although the work of a sound engineer often involves moving into a physical space, more and more tasks involve computers.
“For sound engineers, tasks potentially affected by patents come from the digital post-processing side, for example mixing, editing and synchronization,” study author Daniele Quercia told MailOnline.
Other jobs on the 20 worst-hit list include orthodontists (at number 7), security guards (13), radiologists (16) and space scientists (17).
Overall, jobs in healthcare and scientific and technical services are likely to be hit hardest.
The team’s method also allowed them to compile a list of jobs that were not under threat, with pile driver operator at the top of the list.
This is followed by a dredging operator (who operates large equipment to excavate waterways) and an aircraft baggage handling supervisor.
In fact, a surprising number of the least affected jobs involve some form of labor, challenging the idea that robots will soon be better suited to such tasks.
Others included floor sanders and finishers (number 6), stone splitter (10), podiatrist (12) and ‘short order’ chef (15) – a chef who prepares dishes quickly.
“The least affected occupations consist mainly of blue-collar occupations,” the experts say in their study. published in PNAS nexus.
“The AII score… shows that the lowest impact is seen in jobs that require a high school diploma or less.”
Pile driver operator (pictured) is the number one job least affected by AI, the new study finds
Some of the least affected jobs involve some form of labor, challenging the idea that robots will soon be better suited to such tasks. In the photo an aircraft cargo handler
Overall, jobs in healthcare and scientific and technical services are likely to be hit hardest
The researchers conclude that jobs that require more “manual dexterity” may actually be more immune than jobs that are typically considered more skilled or specialized.
This should make sense, since AI’s primary power is to replicate the processes in the human brain.
In general, humanoid robots like Ameca or Tesla’s Optimus are considered forms of AI, but they are still nowhere close to achieving the required dexterity.
The team says reaching a consensus on which jobs are most at risk is crucial to “beginning to formulate effective policies” to tackle “ongoing transformations.”
Many employers may also want to consider how professions in their business can be “expanded rather than replaced.”
“Promoting a culture of continuous learning and skills development is essential,” the researchers added.