#1
My mom was an operator for decades! She went from the switchboard (“number please”) to early computers (the mainframe took up an entire floor and you could walk around inside of it)
Research shows that the rise and spread of generative artificial intelligence tools is going to have a large impact on the global economy. However, it’s unclear how extensive that impact will be. Some researchers believe that how we work will fundamentally change and are ringing the alarm bells. Others are more grounded and think that new and previously unheard-of job opportunities will replace (at least some of) those that fall by the wayside.
The Guardian reports that AI may displace between 1 and 3 million private sector jobs in the United Kingdom, based on research done by the Tony Blair Institute, a think tank. According to the Institute, you might see between 60k and 275k British jobs displaced every year, over the next couple of decades, as the peak of the disruption.
However, the “ultimate rise in unemployment will be in the low hundreds of thousands as growth in the technology also creates new roles.” Currently, over 33 million people are employed in the UK. The country is the 6th largest economy globally, by GDP.
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On the other hand, the International Monetary Fund warned that AI might affect almost 40% of all jobs, globally. A poll by Adecco Group and Oxford Economics, looking at the opinions of executives, found something similar. 41% of the respondents said that they expect to employ fewer people due to AI.
Goldman Sachs sees things slightly differently. It predicts that 18% of global work could become automated due to generative AI, somewhat ironically affecting advanced economies the most. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum believes that most digitization and automation-related job losses will occur in administrative, clerical, secretarial, factory, and commerce roles.
We asked Fowler about the 'soft' skills that all employees can develop, irrespective of their career paths. "Skills that are uniquely human and connective will always have value," the founder of Empower Work told Bored Panda in an email.
"For example, the ability to listen deeply, ask powerful questions, and collaborate across differences are fundamentals of human interaction that can apply to tough problem solving or interpersonal challenges."
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#5
Coal man, the same as above by horse and full of sacks of coal
Chimney sweep, to clean out all the open fire hearths and chimneys.
#6
I was still receiving them up until about 10 years ago... Haven't had a land line in 25 years, so not sure why I was getting it. Glad they finally stopped, I always threw them straight into the recycle bin.
According to Fowler, it's normal to feel anxious amidst many unknowns. "Worry is a natural human emotion and can be a signal for us to pay attention. The question is how to use that signal in ways that move us forward. For those who are feeling concerned about changes in their jobs, industries, and more, spending time reflecting on skills you have, areas you may need to grow, and getting support to think through areas you may be missing can be important," she said.
"There are great platforms like SkillUp where you can look at different career pathways or resources like Empower Work where you can chat with a trained peer counselor. The one known is that there will be change—and what we have control over is how we respond to it," Fowler suggested. If you face challenges at work and need support, you can visit the Empower Work website or contact their text line at 510-674-1414.
#7
My uncle was a TV repairman for many years. After he passed, we cleaned his house out, and he had scores and scores of vacuum tubes and repair manuals.
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#9
It’s all computers now.
Meanwhile, Bored Panda also got in touch with redditor u/tshirtguy2000, who was kind enough to share their perspective about the future of work. We were curious about their perspective on what types of jobs might be the most vulnerable to AI in the next few decades.
"I think clerical-type roles will be largely automated," the OP said, echoing the general sentiment among many researchers.
However, things aren't all grim. Other career paths might prosper because they're more resilient to being replaced.
#10
I loved this job during college! Once you sorted your envelopes you could do your homework, they didn’t mind. Also they would relocate you anywhere you wanted, they were everywhere.
In my area they all become locksmith shops; a handy place to get your keys copied.
#11
You just took me back. I remember us digging around for change in the car to throw into the container as we went through the tollbooth.
#12
They came and went during my lifetime.
Although, to be fair, there's still a shop on the north side of town here which will work on old VCRs, among other electronics.
"On the flip side, healthcare and social services will flourish," u/tshirtguy2000 shared their perspective. This is very likely to come true due to the need for human connection, empathy, and communication in these lines of work.
Bored Panda also asked the author of the thread what advice they'd give anyone who hopes to change their career path if they're worried about automation.
According to them, it would probably be best to focus on careers that still require human traits, such as empathy, judgment, creativity, strategizing, or others.
#13
Mail rooms exist, but the concept of intra-office mail was completely killed by the widespread adoption of email. People forget CC and BCC used to mean something!
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Certain skills and jobs are more resilient to the flow of time than others. Sure, no career is ever completely immune, but it’d be naive to think that every job has the same potential longevity.
For example, until you see competent, independent, and cheaply produced robots walking the streets, your hands-on job that involves a lot of manual precision is going to be safe. Anything related to building and fixing things is going to be resilient to change, even though we’ve seen lots of manufacturing jobs replaced by machines over the centuries.
Meanwhile, jobs that require high emotional intelligence and social finesse—e.g. doctors, caretakers, consultants, psychologists, etc.—also won’t be replaced by AI any time soon. Artists with a unique, soulful style also shouldn’t panic because there’s always going to be a demand for creativity with a fundamentally human touch.
#16
Huckleberry2419The sound of the paper hitting the porch used to gently wake me up every morning.
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#18
I sold Fuller Brush door-to-door while in Junior High. Probably around 69 ~ 70. Made pretty good money for a kid.
Though it might seem like generative AI is ‘smart’ or 'gets' us, these tools are probability machines, not thinking or feeling ‘beings.’ Things might change in the far-off future when we get artificial general intelligence, but that’s likely a very long way off.
In the meantime, you can become more resilient to whatever career bizarreness comes your way by developing your personal brand, sharpening your skills (both old and new), networking with other professionals, and generally being a pleasant person to be around. You should never underestimate the power of being someone who it’s easy to work in a team with.
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Cobbler- shoe repair people. Also did other leather repair such as purse straps, luggage, etc.
Jewelry and watch repair for everyday items. Every little town used to have one. Now only at very high/expensive levels.
Small appliance repair. Toasters, coffee makers, waffle irons, wall clocks, etc. all used to be repaired.
Wallpaper hangers. There used to be people who did this full time. Now it's rare.
Photo studios. I know there are some left, such as wedding photographers. But there used to be many independent studios and in all the department stores, even KMarts, etc. where you could take your kids for photos or have engagement or other photos taken.
Upholsterers. Very hard to find now. I waited a year to get an old chair redone. My mom had her couch and living room chairs reupholstered regularly. Now people just buy new.
Catalog sales stores. There were small shops in rural towns like Sears stores where you'd place a catalog order and then go to pick up the delivery when they called you. This was not a Sears store like in the city. Just a small store with tables and chairs to sit at, go through catalogs, and fill out your order form. Or if you had a catalog at home, to drop off a pre-completed form there. Why do that? There was no shipping charge like if you mail ordered it to your home.