Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has over four years of financial, business, and technology research and reporting experience, providing insights into Kenyan and global trends.

Concerns about job security have intensified worldwide due to the growing dominance and rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and automation.

A recent comprehensive study shed light on the careers least vulnerable to AI disruption over the next decade, offering guidance to job seekers on where to focus their skills for long-term stability and growth.

The study by experts at Yijin Hardware evaluated hundreds of professions based on three key metrics: projected job growth from 2023 to 2033, median annual salary, and the risk of automation by AI technologies.

These factors were combined into a “Career Safety Score” ranging from 1 to 100, where a higher score indicates greater resilience to automation and better prospects for employment stability.

The research drew on labor market reports and recent automation risk analyses to present a picture of the future job landscape.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Gavin Yi, CEO of Yijin Hardware and lead commentator on the study, emphasised that not all jobs are equally threatened by AI.

“AI is transforming the workplace, but the careers least likely to be replaced share three core traits: they rely heavily on emotional intelligence, involve physical interaction, and require complex decision-making in unpredictable environments,” Gavin explained.

Gavin advised young professionals, especially in Kenya and across Africa, to prioritise developing human-centered skills that technology cannot easily replicate.

“For young Kenyans and Africans entering the workforce, my advice is to focus on developing human-centered skills that AI still struggles with. Communication, critical thinking, empathy, and adaptability are the skills that set people apart in the age of intelligent machines. Combine those with a foundational understanding of digital tools and data, and you’ll be able to grow alongside technology, not compete with it,” Gavin told TUKO.co.ke

The study’s rankings highlight healthcare professions as dominant leaders in job security, reflecting the critical human elements involved.

According to the study, nursing tops the list as the safest career with a perfect score of 100, driven by a strong 40% job growth forecast and a low 12% risk of AI automation.

Surgeons follow second, with lower growth (4%) and a slightly higher automation risk (15%). Dentists rank third with moderate growth (5%) and low automation risk (11%).

Physical and occupational therapists round out the top five, boasting strong growth (14% and 11%) and some of the lowest automation risks (12% and 10%).

Lawyers rank sixth with higher AI risk (30%) and slower growth (5%). Logisticians have the highest growth after nurses (19%) but face a steep 41% automation risk.

Social workers and architects tie for eighth, with social workers safer from automation (16% risk) than architects (19%).

Teachers close the top 10 with solid growth (8%) but a higher 29% risk of automation.

In other news, Kenya's ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo launched the Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2030.

The strategy report acknowledged widespread concerns about job losses due to AI-driven automation, especially in key sectors like manufacturing and agriculture where many Kenyans are employed.

The strategy was developed after extensive stakeholder consultations to ensure responsible and inclusive AI development while addressing fears that rapid AI adoption could worsen unemployment challenges facing the youth.

Despite the potential for AI to disrupt the job market, the strategy also highlighted opportunities for improving public services and economic growth, emphasising the need for balanced development that safeguards jobs and promotes social inclusion.

Source: TUKO.co.ke