Occupations predicted to become extinct come 2030

While advances in technology have made life easier, could this result in an increase in the unemployment rate?

A bitter pill to swallow, popular occupations such as video store clerks, milk delivery drivers, payphone repair technicians, bank tellers and typists have all diminished over the last few years.

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According to CareerAddict, numerous occupations will be added to the list by 2030. These include:

• Warehouse stockers: It is predicted that advanced sensors will manage inventory without breaks or errors

• Cashiers: With self-service becoming the global norm, there will be no need for cashiers

• Data entry clerks: Advances in AI will allow for the quick sorting of information without hassle or errors

• Casino dealers: Businesses will save more as AI dealers offer non-stop service and can study players’ needs, making the experience memorable for them

• Pre-press technicians: As this occupation becomes less vital, more technicians may find themselves unemployed as AI systems can handle layout tasks more efficiently

• Engine and machine assemblers: According to an Oxford report, some 20 million jobs are predicted to become extinct by 2030. With robots taking over the manufacturing industry, there will soon be no need for human assemblers

• Fast food workers: In 2024, CNN reported that Japan would soon implement Uber Eats robot deliveries. While it may seem ‘cool’, it is shrinking the already saturated market

• Referees: Sport enthusiasts will soon have to say goodbye to shouting ‘Come on, ref!’ during heated matches. With VAR used to make many calls during games, referees could soon be out of work

• Telemarketers: With robot calls already taking over, many advanced AI systems are capable of making undetected system-generated calls

• Translators: Vast improvements in translator tools are aiding in the subtleties of language, once solely a human skill

• Proofreaders: Thanks to apps like Grammarly, AI-driven language platforms are not just indicating spelling and grammar errors, but are also addressing tone and style

While human expertise in language is difficult to replicate and replace completely, simpler proofreading tasks are already being automated by different software.

The implementation of technology in the South African workforce will also affect workers at CCMA and work unions as robots cannot complain about being overworked and under paid.

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