Vivek Ramaswamy has called for attention to the impact of AI on the workforce. According to him, as AI continues to revolutionize the workforce, “white-collar” jobs are increasingly at risk of displacement. As a result, ‘the trades’, often seen as blue-collar professions, may be the new professions of this shift.
The entrepreneur and politician said that despite the growth of AI, “ChatGPT won’t be fitting our pipes or replacing our roof tiles anytime soon.” He says that in the near future, more young people will be driven to become welders, electricians & machine operators, which will offer them a sense of job security and stability in an AI-driven world.
According to Forbes, nine out of ten employers say they plan to use AI-enabled solutions and generative AI over the next five years, and 73% say they make hiring AI talent a goal. Implementing AI is one of employers’ top business priorities for 2025 and beyond.
A Research study of more than 5,000 US professionals found that 52% are afraid of how AI will affect their jobs. Earlier this year, Meta announced it was cutting about 5% of its global workforce, or 3,600 employees.
Other than Meta, several other major employers have done the same, laying off thousands of workers in a bid to be more efficient and prioritize AI. This supports Ramaswamy’s claim that the workforce is being restructured in another industrial AI revolution.
Jobs on the brink: Roles most vulnerable to AI replacement.
The first roles that will be replaced are the automated roles. These are tasks that machines or software programs can do without human intervention. They are usually boring or repetitive tasks that must be done carefully.
To start, manufacturing jobs will include machine operation, product handling, testing, packaging, etc. Retail and commerce roles are also on the list. They include customer service, inventory management, and fraud analysis.
Transport and logistics jobs will not be spared. Human drivers are being replaced by autonomous vehicles. Waymo is already using AI.
Others are basic data entry, analysis, visualization jobs, financial analysis and projection roles, travel agents and itinerary providers, translators, tax preparation, and entry-level bookkeeping and accounting roles.
There are roles at risk of expiration or at risk of being less in demand. They are proofreaders, paralegals, and graphic designers.
Jobs that will thrive in an AI-driven world.
Ironically, some of the jobs most likely to be future-proofed from automation are those directly involved in developing and maintaining AI systems. Professionals like machine learning engineers, software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity engineers, and AI agent managers will continue to be in high demand.
These roles require human creativity, problem-solving skills, and expertise to design, train, and secure AI systems, making them less susceptible to automation. As AI continues to evolve, the need for skilled professionals to oversee its development and deployment will only grow.
In addition, professionals like registered nurses, choreographers, paramedics, mental health specialists, teachers, civil engineers, surgeons, project managers, and musicians will continue to thrive in an AI-driven world.
These roles demand human intuition, empathy, and decision-making, making them ideal for collaboration with AI rather than replacement by it. These professionals can enhance their work, improve outcomes, and drive innovation by working with AI.
According to a Tech-prenuer who spoke to Julisha.co.ke, “Yes, jobs will disappear. But history shows that others will appear. What matters is the wealth created. Living like a king without having to work like a slave is a form of progress. And as long as we want to create, to bring something to society, there will be a place for everyone.”
