16 Jobs That Could Disappear in the Next Decade

We’re all thankful for technology progressing, but as we get closer and closer to a time when everything is incredibly easy to manage, there’s one big question looming in the air: how will it affect careers? Unfortunately, AI and other forms of technology are already starting to affect some jobs, which likely won’t exist in a decade or more.

Postal Worker

Another unfortunate victim of rapidly advancing technology is a postal worker. Postal workers sell products and postage and sort and deliver mail, and while they’re still around, fewer and fewer people are sending mail nowadays. Most mail includes products bought off platforms like Amazon, but there’s a high chance everything will resort to the help of robots and other systems.

Librarian

Kindle and other book-reading platforms have certainly made the world a better place for bookworms, but not many people are comfortable with the idea of walking down to the library and reading hardcover books because they can get everything online. This means librarians, who usually manage and keep books, won’t be able to work since every book could be shifted online.

Tax Preparers

Tax preparers help others calculate and file income taxes on their behalf. While many people require assistance with income taxes, more and more websites and applications are popping up daily, making something as gruesome as filing taxes easy. This means you could file your taxes with a few scrolls and a click, so tax preparers won’t be needed anymore.

Warehouse Stockers

You’d think if there’s one job that’s not going to die out any time soon, it’s warehouse stockers because most of their work is practical. However, many international warehouses are experimenting with robot warehouse stockers, and things have been going great so far. A human warehouse stocker could be an extinct job if they continue down the road.

Cashiers

Speaking of extinct jobs, we’re already halfway to letting the position of cashiers kick the bucket. Almost every mall has a self-checkout section, and while it could be regulated better, it’s already helping us manage things and our bills just fine. There are even cashier-less stores in Japan, proving you could get by without a cashier.

Meter Readers

Meter readers are responsible for cross-checking readings for utilities like gas, water, and electricity so companies won’t charge customers more than they’ve consumed. However, many smart meters come with automated systems that let you see the readings through an app anytime. This means we won’t need the help of meter readers in a couple of years.

Telemarketers

A telemarketer’s responsibilities include selling a product or service on the phone, so you’d think their job would be safe from the clutches of technology. However, that’s not the case; you can quickly look up products and services online, especially with online scanning tools that can help you verify details.

Translators

One of the emerging features of artificial intelligence is being able to read and recognize various languages and translate and interpret them. AI might take a couple of years to perfect translation since most are still in the beta phase, but once they’ve successfully tested out, you wouldn’t need to hire a translator in the future.

Proofreaders

Just like translators, proofreading positions are on the brink of extinction. Most AI programs can interpret text, summarize it, and suggest improvements. While it’s not entirely perfected yet, AI technology will eventually replace proofreading jobs because it will be able to transcribe text directly from images, videos, or documents.

Textile Workers

Textile workers have various responsibilities, but those in charge of cutting and sorting clothes risk losing their jobs soon. This is because most textile mills are already using machinery that finely cuts the fabric, reducing the worker’s load by half. With the right technology, we won’t even need textile workers to supervise the task.

Typists

Typists typically get paid to convert handwritten or audio content into typed text, but with AI becoming more and more accessible and accurate, the job of a typist may not even exist a few years from now. Whatever the typist can do, AI can do it better and faster, and that too for free. Sure, you may have to pay a premium for some services, but it is still comparatively cheaper and less time-consuming than hiring a typist and watching them churn out documents.

Retail Sales Associates

The rise of online shopping has changed how people buy things, making in-store sales associates less needed. E-commerce websites now have features like chatbots and virtual assistants that help customers without requiring a salesperson. As more shoppers turn to online stores for convenience, fewer physical retail stores are staying open, and the jobs tied to them are disappearing.

Parking Attendants

Parking attendants are becoming less common because of automated parking systems. These systems guide drivers to available spots, process payments digitally, and even use AI to monitor security. As more cities and businesses install these advanced parking solutions, the role of parking attendants is slowly fading away.

Bank Tellers

Bank tellers have long played an important role in helping customers with their inquiries and other banking services. However, with the growth of mobile banking, the job of a bank teller may become obsolete in the next few years. More and more customers are now preferring to use their devices for banking services; it’s more convenient, and there are no wait times, either. So, as financial technology evolves, the demand for bank tellers may reduce to advisory positions.

Fast Food Workers

Fast food jobs are starting to disappear because of new technology. Many restaurants now have self-service kiosks where customers can place their orders. They’re also using robots to flip burgers, fry food, and prepare meals. These machines are quick, efficient, and don’t need breaks, making them appealing to businesses. As these systems continue to improve, fewer people will be needed to work in fast-food kitchens and counters.

Toll Booth Operators

Lastly, we’ve got a job that’s already one foot out the door; toll booth operators won’t last long since most toll booths have scanners that can read the incoming vehicle and interpret its status accordingly. So far, the only thing stopping toll booth operators from going out of work is the reliance of some cards on outdated methods; once everything resorts to a scanning check, it’ll be easy to scan them through a machine.

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This article was first published at Rbitaliablog.