Just posted to my Forbes column about one of the biggest questions people are asking right now: which jobs are actually safest from AI?
The surprising answer comes from a recent report by Anthropic. While a lot of attention focuses on AI replacing knowledge workers like programmers, analysts, and customer service reps, the data suggests that jobs which involve hands-on physical work, real-world environments, and face-to-face service are currently the least exposed to AI automation. Think cooks, motorcycle mechanics, lifeguards, bartenders, dishwashers, and dressing room attendants.
In fact, the report estimates that roughly 30% of jobs today have almost zero exposure to AI replacement.
The pattern is clear: work that requires physical presence, dexterity, and real-time human interaction remains difficult for AI to replicate. That extends across trades, hospitality, maintenance, agriculture, and personal services. Many of these roles are stable and in demand, though some are lower paying or physically demanding.
At the same time, the report flags some concerning trends.
The most AI-exposed jobs tend to be white-collar, computer-based roles. Younger workers entering those fields may already be feeling the shift, with employment among 22- to 25-year-olds in highly exposed occupations dropping noticeably. And while AI is currently boosting productivity rather than eliminating jobs outright, the pace of improvement suggests the landscape could keep shifting quickly.