AI and automation expected to eliminate millions of routine jobs by 2034

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technologies is expected to reshape the global workforce over

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technologies is expected to reshape the global workforce over the next decade, putting several traditional occupations at risk disappearing.Occupations that rely heavily on repetitive, predictable, and routine tasks are likely to experience the sharpest declines.

Experts believe that jobs centered around data processing, customer transactions, and administrative support are becoming increasingly vulnerable as businesses adopt more efficient digital solutions. As automation technologies continue to improve, many roles that once required human involvement can now be performed faster and more accurately by machines and software systems.

Among the occupations expected to face the steepest decline are word processors and typists. Employment in this field is projected to fall by more than 36 percent over the next decade. The widespread use of artificial intelligence-powered writing tools, speech-to-text applications, and advanced voice recognition systems has significantly reduced the need for traditional typing and document-processing jobs.

Another profession facing a major downturn is that of switchboard operators. Employment in this category is expected to decline by more than 26 percent as automated telephone systems, digital communication platforms, and intelligent call-routing technologies replace manual operators. Similarly, data entry keyers are projected to experience a 25 percent reduction in employment. Since much of the work associated with data entry can already be automated, organizations are increasingly relying on software to handle information processing tasks.

Telemarketing is another field being transformed by technology. Studies suggest that over 96 percent of telemarketing activities can now be automated through artificial intelligence, predictive dialing systems, chatbots, and digital marketing platforms. As a result, demand for traditional telemarketers is expected to decline substantially in the coming years.

Several administrative and financial occupations are also projected to shrink. Order clerks, who traditionally process customer purchases and transactions, are being replaced by online ordering systems and automated customer service platforms. Payroll processors face similar challenges as businesses adopt software capable of calculating salaries, taxes, and benefits with minimal human intervention.

The banking sector is also undergoing a significant transformation. The growing popularity of online banking, mobile applications, and digital payment systems has reduced the need for physical bank branches and in-person services. Consequently, employment opportunities for bank tellers are expected to continue declining.

Interestingly, the technology industry itself is not immune to disruption. While demand for software products and digital services continues to rise, the role of traditional computer programmers is projected to decline by around 6 percent. Companies increasingly seek software developers who can design, build, and manage complex systems rather than programmers who primarily write code based on predefined instructions. Modern AI-powered coding tools are also helping automate many routine programming tasks.

Cashiers are expected to experience the largest job losses in terms of total numbers. The expansion of self-checkout systems, mobile payment options, and cashierless retail stores is projected to eliminate approximately 313,600 cashier positions by 2034. Meanwhile, postal service clerks are forecast to see a decline of about 5 percent as digital communication, email services, and electronic billing continue to reduce traditional mail volumes.

Overall, these projections highlight the growing impact of technology on the labor market. While some occupations may disappear or shrink significantly, new opportunities are expected to emerge in fields that require creativity, problem-solving, technological expertise, and human-centered skills that remain difficult to automate.