AI unlikely to replace these jobs soon, say experts
Jobs requiring human interaction, specialised education, and hands-on skills will remain resistant to AI-driven automation, according to Finnish officials and international reports cited by national broadcaster Yle.
While artificial intelligence may eliminate up to half of entry-level specialist roles in the next five years, professions centred on human connection and manual expertise are expected to endure. Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment underscores that “faceless AI cannot easily—or fully—replace human labour and interaction” in critical, wellbeing-focused fields.
Aleksi Kalenius, a senior official at the Ministry of Education, emphasised that education remains a key safeguard. “Vulnerable occupational groups are clearly less educated on average,” he noted, pointing to a persistent link between qualifications and job security. Elina Pylkkänen, state secretary at the ministry, added that adaptability, empathy, and service orientation will be vital: “Even in any profession, you can become sidelined without broader skills beyond formal degrees.”
High-paying roles least at risk
US publications like Forbes and the Washington Post have compiled lists of well-compensated professions where automation poses minimal threat. Many of these—such as healthcare, skilled trades, and creative fields—demand physical presence, advanced training, or interpersonal judgement. Examples include:
- Surgeons and specialised medical practitioners
- Craftspeople and technical repair professionals
- Educators and social workers
- Legal and financial advisors with complex casework
Pylkkänen stressed that while AI may reshape tasks, “moments spent with other people have no substitute in technology.” The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that by 2030, structural shifts will create 170 million new jobs globally—but eliminate 92 million, primarily in routine-based roles.
Uncertainty in predictions
Experts caution against overreliance on forecasts. “We base predictions on past data, which may not reflect future disruptions,” Kalenius said. Finland’s social security agency Kela plans to cut 1,000 jobs via AI by 2035, illustrating how even public-sector employers are adapting. Yet the pace and scale of change remain unpredictable.
High-wage professions face greater pressure for automation due to cost-efficiency incentives, but roles requiring creativity, ethical judgement, or manual dexterity—like neurosurgery, shown in Yle’s report from Oulu University Hospital—are likely to persist.