Microsoft report reveals top 10 AI-safe careers: Ship engineers, painters and more

Experts, however, warned that no job is entirely immune to the effects of AI. (Representational image)

As generative AI reshapes the workplace, Microsoft has released a report, Working with AI, which offers a look at which jobs are most at risk and which are safest. At a time when people in desk jobs involving writing, information gathering, and customer service are getting replaced by AI tools, the report identified a set of roles that remain largely untouched by the technology.

These “AI-safe” careers are dominated by medical and blue-collar professions requiring physical presence, hands-on skills, and human judgment, CNBC Make It reported. Based on Microsoft’s analysis of 200,000 anonymised Bing Copilot conversations, here are the top 10 roles least affected by AI:

1.) Phlebotomists
2.) Nursing assistants
3.) Ship engineers
4.) Tire repairers
5.) Pipelayers
6.) Roofers
7.) Carpenters
8.) Electricians
9.) Firefighters
10.) Occupational therapy assistants

These jobs involve tasks that AI cannot easily replicate—drawing blood, repairing tires, or responding to emergencies. Unlike writing or translating, which AI can perform with high accuracy, these roles demand physical dexterity, situational awareness, and emotional intelligence, the Microsoft report stated.

Experts, however, warned that no job is entirely immune. In May, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang had said, “You’re not going to lose your job to an AI, but you’re going to lose your job to someone who uses AI.” He advised professionals to learn to work with AI, not against it.

Microsoft study lists 40 jobs that could be replaced by AI
In July, Microsoft shared a study that revealed the 40 jobs most at risk of being replaced after the rise of powerful AI tools.

The research, conducted by Microsoft’s data scientists, focused on the US job market but has global implications. Using something called an “AI applicability score,” the study looked at how likely AI is to be used in various jobs.

Jobs in writing, editing, customer service, and data analysis are among those most exposed. For example, writers, editors, translators, PR professionals, and even reporters were ranked as highly replaceable. Microsoft itself has reportedly laid off thousands of employees this year, with AI being one of the reasons.

The list also includes more surprising roles like models, market researchers, and even financial advisors. These are jobs that rely heavily on information processing or creating digital content — something large language models like Copilot or ChatGPT are now doing with ease.