The Future of Jobs Global Report 2025 reveals a startling reality: 41% of companies plan workforce reductions as artificial intelligence expands, sparking widespread unease among employees worldwide.
With almost half of knowledge workers also expressing concern over job displacement due to AI, it raises the question: which professions feel the most vulnerable and which AI alternatives are we most readily encouraging?
To explore this, the experts at AIPRM analysed global search data to reveal the shifting perceptions around AI’s role in the workforce.
Key Findings on AI and Jobs:
- Out of the ranking careers, programming is the only industry expecting negative employment growth (-10%).
- Despite high fear of job displacement, tech sectors like data science (+36%) and cybersecurity (+33%) are set for significant growth.
- Non-tech industries are feeling the strain, with searches for “AI doctors” and “AI lawyers” being the most sought-after alternatives.
Search Insights: Top Questions About Jobs at Risk from AI
Programmers and Software Developers
“Will AI replace programmers?” is the most heavily searched AI replacement question, amassing 5,100 monthly enquiries. “AI programmer” has also racked up an average of 2,800 monthly searches as people scramble for quicker, cheaper alternatives to hiring the real thing.
One report identified that employment in the programming industry is set to experience a 10% decline in the states by 2033; the only negative predicted trend amongst the most searched roles.
“Will AI replace software developers” takes second place, seeing 2,500 monthly enquiries. Interestingly, “AI software developer” amasses around 6,200 global monthly searches. However, a predicted 26% increase in employment 2023-2033 provides some security, as despite AI’s ability to execute the more technical elements, the overseeing and human input is crucial, with imagination, inventive problem-solving, and analytical thinking being essential components.
Accountants and Lawyers
Accountants ranked as the 3rd most popular enquiry, with “Will AI replace accountants?” garnering 1,500 monthly searches. People are keen to seek an alternative, with “AI accountant” seeing over 700 monthly enquiries.
While over half (51%) of accounting professionals think that ChatGPT and generative AI have a place in tax, accounting, and audit tasks, at this stage, the need for judgement and emotional intelligence when handling clients is irreplaceable, hence a 6% growth in employment predicted between 2022-2032.
“Will AI replace Lawyers?” racks up over 1,300 global searches each month, and shockingly “AI lawyer” sees over eight times the volume across the same period (11,000). According to Goldman Sachs, AI has the potential to automate 44% of tasks within the legal profession, far surpassing the 25% average across industries.
However, this doesn’t suggest the profession will disappear, with the job market expected to grow by 5% by 2033, but it underscores that those leveraging AI are likely to outpace those who resist it.
Data Analysts and Data Scientists
However, employment within this sector is expected to rise 23% between 2021 and 2031, as although AI can identify patterns and crunch numbers, understanding reasoning, intuition, and problem-solving skills is something AI is currently unable to match.
Similarly, with data Scientists. Searches for “Will AI replace data scientists” currently amount to around 800 monthly enquiries, with around 600 searches seeking out an “AI data scientist”. The employment rate is predicted to soar by 36% in the same period, the most significant increase out of all the roles where employees feel most vulnerable.
Despite AI’s ability to perform many processing tasks, the soft skills associated with this field are too significant, such as liaising with stakeholders, project management skills, and simply working well in a team.
Doctors and Radiologists
Medical professionals, including doctors and radiologists, are concerned about AI’s impact. Monthly searches for “Will AI replace doctors” reach around 900, while interest in “AI doctor” sees an impressive 16,000 monthly searches as people seek quicker and more accessible alternatives.
Despite this, doctor employment is on track for a 4% growth from 2023 to 2033, indicating steady demand for human expertise in patient care, diagnosis, and empathy, qualities AI cannot fully replicate.
Radiologists face similar uncertainties, with 450 monthly searches for “Will AI replace radiologists”.
Employment in this field is predicted to rise by 6% over the same period. While AI can assist in analysing imaging data, radiologists’ interpretive skills, clinical decision-making, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals remain irreplaceable.
Engineers and Architects
Engineers also feel the pressure of AI advancements, with around 700 monthly searches for “Will AI replace engineers” and 7,000 for “AI engineer”. However, employment in the field is expected to grow by 11% by 2033.
While AI can assist with optimisation and design, it can’t replicate the creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking that engineers bring to their work.
Similarly, architects face questions about their future, with 350 monthly searches for “Will AI replace architects” and 2,800 for “AI architect”. Despite this, the profession is expected to grow by 5% over the next decade.
AI might help with drafting and visualisations, but architects’ ability to blend form and function while working closely with clients keeps them in demand.
