The trillion-dollar question: Is AI coming for your job, or will it make you ten times better at your job? This next monumental frontier of technology is creating a weird mix of deep angst and utter exhilaration.

A new study from Microsoft doesn’t exactly answer this question, but it does offer an interesting career lens on artificial intelligence. Using 200,000 anonymized user conversations with Microsoft’s chatbot, Copilot, researchers ranked occupations by AI’s relevance to the day-to-day work activities of different occupations. In other words, based on user requests, and how successfully the chatbot completed tasks, researchers were able to give occupations an AI “applicability score.”

The study listed the 40 highest and lowest scoring careers. Knowledge work and communication fields had very high relevance, especially interpreters, historians, sales reps, writers and customer service reps. Hands-on workers were among the least impacted: Dredge operators, bridge workers, water treatment plant operators, metal workers and railroad layers all scored a zero.

It also showed the most effective use cases for AI today include:

•   Writing and editing.

•   Researching.

•   Decision-making, especially with product or material comparisons.

While AI is not (yet) particularly good at:

•   Creating visual designs.

•   Arranging displays.

•   Analyzing scientific or financial data.

So what? Artificial intelligence raises a slew of big-picture questions about the future. It’s a nervewracking time for many of us (unless you’re the AI researcher just offered a $62 million annual pay package) and if you’re young, it can feel daunting to choose a career that stands to gain rather than lose.

But whether AI creates entirely new job categories or leads to mass entry-level layoffs in certain industries, running from it won’t help. To stay ahead of the curve, put that nervous energy to good use by exploring how you can use AI to make you more effective both at work and in life.

Depending on your profession, this powerful technology may be able to help you do the things you like least about your job. (It might even be able to help you figure out more AI-proof jobs you could do given your experience and education.) Either way, you can take comfort in the fact that today’s chatbots do not yet possess the emotional intelligence, creativity, and good judgment of their human counterparts.

Related Reading

AI Use at Work Has Almost Doubled in the Past Year, Gallup Finds (Tech Brew)

AI-Driven Layoffs Are Shrinking the Job Market for Recent Grads (Fortune)

Get Started With ChatGPT: A Beginner's Guide to Using the Super Popular AI Chatbot (CNET)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM20250813SW