These Jobs Are Most at Risk from AI

Amazon’s CEO expects job cuts, Microsoft converts the sales-and the IFO Institute warns of millions of endangered spots. Particularly affected: well-paid office and administrative professions that were long considered safe. In this article, we explain which jobs will disappear – and what those affected can do about it.

Many highly paid jobs affected: Manager positions are also replaced by AI.

Managers in the Crosshairs

BERLIN, June 19, 2025 – The future of work is here, and it’s bringing some unsettling changes. Amazon, Microsoft, and the IFO Institute are sounding the alarm: Artificial intelligence is poised to reshape the job market, and some once-secure professions are now in the firing line.

• Managers and decision-makers are increasingly at risk.
• Software developers and programmers face automation.
• Customer service roles are being streamlined with AI.
• Administrative and accounting positions are vulnerable.

So, which jobs are most threatened by these advancements? This article explores the roles most likely to be impacted by the AI revolution.

Managers and Decision-Makers

Managers, once considered irreplaceable, are now seeing their roles evolve. Amazon’s insights suggest that even high-level decision-makers could face AI-driven automation. Digital assistants now handle decision support, reporting, and personnel planning, crunching data in real time for faster, more precise results.

Software Developers and Programmers

The very individuals who build AI tools could find their own jobs at risk. AI is saving time in code generation, debugging, and documentation. Tools like Github Copilot and ChatGPT now write, check, and optimize code with impressive efficiency. In 2023, Microsoft CEO SATYA NADELLA revealed that AI already contributed to 30% of the code in pilot projects.

Call Center Agents and Customer Service

Companies like Rossmann and Decathlon are already utilizing automated voice boards, mechanically answering simple customer inquiries. This shift means fewer roles for human consultants, except in specialized cases. Parloa, a Berlin-based company specializing in this area, is valued at over $1 billion.

AI in customer service: Many call center agents will be replaced by chatbots in the future.

Administrative Employees and Clerks

The IFO Institute highlights the administrative and office sectors as particularly vulnerable. A June 2025 survey revealed that 27.1% of German companies anticipate AI-driven job cuts within five years, particularly in industry and administration. Automation is effectively handling structured, rule-based tasks such as data input and deadline management.

Accountants and Accounting Specialists

AI systems automate bookkeeping for many small and medium-sized businesses, with start-ups such as Xentral and Candis leading the charge. Invoices, receipts, and tax returns are increasingly processed automatically, reducing the need for traditional accounting work.

Sales and Telemarketing Professionals

Microsoft announced a reduction in its sales structure in 2025 due to AI-based sales optimization tools like Copilot. Start-ups like Einstein GPT from Salesforce and Tact AI demonstrate the growing automation of sales talks, lead qualification, and customer outreach.

Ki in sales: Microsoft shows as a pioneer how artificial intelligence can be used in sales.

Reporting Analysts and Data Processors

Tools such as Power BI, Tableau with Copilot, and Google Looker AI are already handling classic analysis and reporting tasks. Algorithms are used for data preparation, visualization, and even text summaries, often outperforming human analysts in speed and accuracy. Human analysts are increasingly used for interpretation and evaluation.

Navigating the AI Revolution

How can professionals adapt to the changing landscape? By preparing now, individuals can navigate the AI revolution with confidence. As routine jobs disappear, new opportunities related to data, digitization, and artificial intelligence are emerging. Here’s how to prepare:

• Continuing Education: Stay in demand by training in areas such as data analysis, automation, and AI applications, even in traditional industries.
• Expand Digital Skills: Excel, Power BI, and other digital platforms are becoming essential for everyday work.
• Strengthen Soft Skills: Creativity, communication, and critical thinking are irreplaceable human assets.
• Stay Professionally Flexible: Be open to career changes or taking on additional responsibilities.

The Unreplaceable Human Element

AI can do a lot, but some things remain uniquely human. Tasks requiring emotional intelligence, moral judgment, or innovative problem-solving are still challenging for machines. Those who strengthen these skills will remain in demand in an automated world.

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