Futureproofing your career with an AI-resistant degree is a tough ask, says Charlie Ball, an expert on graduate employment for Jisc, the UK’s higher education digital, data and technology agency.

“What you’re trying to do is futureproof a 45-year career in a time of rapid technological change – and that’s really quite hard to do. What’s likely is that jobs that hinge a lot on human, face-to-face interaction are unlikely to be replaced.”

He warns however that the discussion should focus less on identifying specific vocational paths that are safe from AI, and more on how to equip young people with a suite of skills that allow them to adapt rapidly to labour market change.

But if pushed, areas of work that might offer more protection from AI than others include the following.

Research and development
Degrees in Stem subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) have long been associated with good careers. Although AI will inevitably affect entry-level lab work, “the creativity and imaginative work will have to be done by humans,” says Ball. “The whole point of R&D is to find out new things, and AI can only really compare against stuff that it’s already got in its database.”

Engineering
We may see AI increasingly embedded in design and modelling, but human engineers will still be required to operate in physical, real-world environments that will continue to require human oversight. “Much of engineering is going to be hard to replace by AI,” Ball says. “We are likely still to need engineers to do the big stuff like civil engineering – building bridges and buildings. Those areas are likely to be OK.”

Creative arts and entertainment
“Although AI can produce creative art, people generally don’t like it very much,” is Ball’s verdict. He thinks we will get better at spotting its handiwork. “There will always be demand for human-led creativity. Everything AI currently produces is a remix of things that already exist. AI can’t create things. You’ll never get a distinctive new voice emerging. It can’t do that.”

Medicine
“We will still have doctors in 50 years’ time,” says Ball. “Their jobs will change somewhat. But people will want humans to deliver their health news, particularly the more difficult news. And no matter how good automation gets, when your kids are poorly, you will want to take them to a human GP.” AI can be helpful with diagnoses in some cases, “but it will still make mistakes. Where you will need someone to take responsibility for decisions, they will all have to be human.”

Nursing and midwifery
“AI and tech will get injected into many health roles, and on balance that’s probably quite a good thing, because at the moment we have nowhere near enough people doing these jobs,” says Ball. “But people will want humans to care for them when they are sick. People will want humans to look after them when they are old. I cannot envisage a situation where there will ever be a robot midwife.”

Education
“Nor are we going to get robot teachers,” he adds, despite the ongoing shortage of teachers in England. “There is already a role for technology in facilitating the delivery of education. But we will still want human educators to make this stuff relatable, and also for the pastoral side of student support. That will remain important.”