Microsoft just dropped a new report mapping out which jobs AI is about to gut first. The study ranks careers by how much generative AI can replicate their tasks.
Top targets? Translators, historians, writers. Customer service and sales reps—about 5 million U.S. jobs—also sit precariously close to replacement. Basically, any job doing knowledge work, office math, administration, or info-sharing is a prime candidate for AI takeover.
Some jobs fight back. Dredge operators and water treatment plant workers are nearly untouched because they require hands-on gear. 
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said it straight at Milken in May:
Every job will be affected, and immediately. It is unquestionable.
You’re not going to lose your job to an AI, but you’re going to lose your job to someone who uses AI.
The kicker? A college degree won’t save you. Roles demanding a Bachelor’s degree—political scientists, management analysts, journalists—have higher AI exposure than those needing less schooling. The study analyzed 200,000 Copilot conversations against job data to reach this.
Healthcare bucks the trend with low AI exposure and high growth, especially home health and personal care aides.
Reminder: this data covers only large language models. Other AI tech could hit jobs like truck drivers next.
This AI shakeup is hitting Gen Z where it hurts. After tech layoffs, many turned to education careers. But the report flags farm/home management educators and postsecondary economics, business, and library teachers as highly vulnerable too.
Top 10 least affected jobs:
- Dredge Operators
- Bridge and Lock Tenders
- Water Treatment Plant and System Operators
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
- Pile Driver Operators
- Floor Sanders and Finishers
- Orderlies
- Motorboat Operators
- Logging Equipment Operators
Top 40 most affected by generative AI:
- Interpreters and Translators
- Historians
- Passenger Attendants
- Sales Representatives of Services
- Writers and Authors
- Customer Service Representatives
- CNC Tool Programmers
- Telephone Operators
- Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio DJs
- Brokerage Clerks
- Farm and Home Management Educators
- Telemarketers
- Concierges
- Political Scientists
- News Analysts, Reporters, Journalists
- Mathematicians
- Technical Writers
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers
- Hosts and Hostesses
- Editors
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary
- Public Relations Specialists
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters
- Advertising Sales Agents
- New Accounts Clerks
- Statistical Assistants
- Counter and Rental Clerks
- Data Scientists
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Archivists
- Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
- Web Developers
- Management Analysts
- Geographers
- Models
- Market Research Analysts
- Public Safety Telecommunicators
- Switchboard Operators
- Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Microsoft declined further comment. The AI job storm is ramping up fast.
