AI Can Probably Do Some of Your Work Tasks. That Doesn't Mean It Can Do Your Job

Executives from major generative artificial intelligence companies often claim their products will displace many workers. For instance, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicted AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs in the coming years, while Meta's Mark Zuckerberg aims for AI to write half of the company's code soon. A Pew survey found 64% of Americans expect fewer jobs due to AI, fueling concerns.

Recent research, like a Microsoft report ranking jobs by AI task overlap, has caused alarm, especially for roles like translators and historians. However, experts emphasize that focusing on tasks, not entire jobs, is key. Darrell M. West from the Brookings Institution notes, "There may not be that many whole jobs that get eliminated. There certainly are going to be a lot of tasks that are going to be eliminated."

Translating is More Than Just Finding the Right Words

Translation involves deep cultural and contextual understanding. Andy Benzo, a legal translator and president-elect of the American Translators Association, explains that language varies significantly by region—for example, she speaks "Argentinian," not just "Spanish." Professional translators are experts in their fields, ensuring accuracy in critical situations like legal proceedings, medical care, or financial transactions, where mistakes can have serious consequences.

AI translation tools, such as those in iOS 26 or Google's Gemini, are improving but still make guesses and lack accountability. Language is dynamic, with new words like "skibidi" emerging constantly, which AI with outdated training data might miss. Benzo asserts, "The only one who can perceive the nuances of a language is a human."

History is More Than Just Telling the Same Old Story

Historians like Sarah Weicksel, executive director of the American Historical Association, engage in creative and judgment-based work. Her research on Civil War-era clothing involves synthesizing archives, diaries, and physical artifacts to uncover underlying stories. AI can summarize events but lacks the ability to touch, feel, or provide new interpretations based on creativity and context.

Weicksel points out that historians' core work is not just task completion but synthesis and contextualization. AI models, trained on existing patterns, cannot produce transformative insights or avoid repeating past mistakes. "Great works of history are neither predictable nor obvious," she says.

What Kind of Work Can AI Do?

AI excels in automating routine tasks, such as coding or customer service, leading to job declines in automation-sensitive roles. A Stanford study found employment drops where AI automates work but growth where it augments human capabilities. Darrell West notes that while most jobs will be affected, not all will be replaced, advising people to assess task-level automation potential.

AI's Effect on Jobs Will Be Decided by People, Not Potential

The impact of AI on employment is uncertain and driven by business decisions rather than technological capability. For example, Klarna initially replaced customer service agents with AI but later rehired humans due to unmet expectations. An MIT study revealed that 95% of AI pilots in businesses yield no return on investment, highlighting the importance of human judgment and creativity.

Ultimately, human elements like judgment, culture, and creativity may prevent AI from fully replacing jobs, even if it handles specific tasks.