Will AI Take Your Job? What Automation Really Means for the Future of Work
One of the biggest questions people ask me especially right now is simple and unsettling:
“Is AI going to take my job?”
To explore that question, I recently came across a website called realrobots.takeyourjob.done. The idea behind it is straightforward: you type in a profession, and it estimates how likely that job is to be disrupted or replaced by automation.
So I decided to put it to the test and the results say a lot about where work is actually heading.
What Happens When You Test Different Professions?
Let’s start with physicians.
According to the site, doctors are completely safe from automation. That shouldn’t surprise anyone. Medicine requires complex decision-making, empathy, human judgment, and the ability to deal with uncertainty things machines simply can’t replicate at scale.
Next, I tested lawyers.
The result? A 3.5% risk of automation.
That number is low, but it’s not zero. And that’s the key insight. Lawyers aren’t going to be replaced wholesale but parts of legal work absolutely will be automated. Tasks like document review, contract analysis, and legal research are already being streamlined by AI.
Then I tested accountants.
And the answer was blunt.
According to the tool, accounting roles are highly vulnerable to automation. Jobs built around structured data, repetitive processes, and rule-based logic are prime targets for AI systems that can perform those tasks faster, cheaper, and with fewer errors.
Why Automation Isn’t the Villain We Think It Is
Here’s where I want to reframe the conversation.
Despite what those results might imply, I’m actually optimistic about automation especially for people who are closest to the work.
For decades, knowledge workers have been buried under tasks that add very little real value:
Data entry
Reporting
Copying and pasting information between systems
Repetitive administrative work
None of that is meaningful. None of it is why people chose their careers.
And automation is incredibly good at removing exactly those kinds of tasks. I’ve written more about how automation can actually unlock human potential here.
AI Lets Us Focus on the Work That Matters
When machines take over the mundane, humans get something back: time and attention.
Instead of managing spreadsheets and reports, people can focus on:
Engaging with customers
Collaborating with colleagues
Building relationships with stakeholders
Solving complex problems
Creating impact
This is where AI and machine learning truly shine not as replacements for humans, but as tools that amplify human value.
The future of work isn’t about humans versus machines.
It’s about humans working with machines to do better, more meaningful work.
Automation Creates New Opportunities Too
Another thing we don’t talk about enough: automation doesn’t just eliminate jobs it creates new ones.
Every organization adopting AI needs people who can:
Implement automation systems
Manage organizational change
Translate technology into business outcomes
Optimize workflows
Help teams adapt and upskill
The people who thrive in this next era will be the ones on the ground floor of adoption: the builders, integrators, and translators who understand both technology and people.
The Real Question We Should Be Asking
So instead of asking:
“Will AI take my job?”
A better question is:
“Which parts of my job should AI take so I can focus on what actually matters?”
Automation isn’t about making humans irrelevant.
It’s about eliminating work that never should have existed in the first place.
And if we lean into it thoughtfully, AI becomes one of the most powerful tools we’ve ever had to improve productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How does AI change daily work for employees?
AI reduces time spent on routine tasks like reporting and data handling. This allows employees to spend more time on decision-making, collaboration, and problem-solving. Work becomes less mechanical and more focused on value creation.
Q2. Is learning AI skills necessary for all professionals?
Not everyone needs to become a technical expert, but understanding how AI works is helpful. Knowing how to use AI tools and work alongside them is becoming an important skill across many industries and job roles.
Q3. Why is human judgment still important in an AI world?
AI works based on data and patterns, but it lacks real-world understanding and ethical reasoning. Human judgment is essential for decision-making, handling uncertainty, and managing situations where context and values matter.
About the Author:
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.