If you are concerned about your professional situation since the appearance of artificial intelligence, here is the first profession set to disappear.
The impact of artificial intelligence on the job market is worrying. And for good reason, a recent study carried out by the McKinsey firm, published in May 2024, paints an alarming picture. Among the most threatened professions: a historically female profession could see millions of positions eliminated in Europe by 2030.
According to this study, the continent should have between 1.1 and 1.5 million professional retrainings per year over the next six years. These changes affect all sectors, but some are more affected. Very concretely, the figures reveal that around 27% of current working hours in Europe could be automated by 2030, a figure which rises to 30% in the United States. These changes concern both physical tasks and those requiring repetitive cognitive skills, where AI excels. Even without the most recent advances, almost 20% of working hours could already be automated with current technologies. The sectors most in danger? Those where tasks are standardized or purely administrative. This is where one of the most striking findings of the study comes into play: a profession that is 97% female is on red alert.
Indeed, the report estimates a net reduction of 5 million positions for this profession, a dizzying drop compared to 2022. In France, nearly 650,000 professionals currently work in this sector. According to Onisep, they are mainly based in Île-de-France, in the south of the country and in Alsace. The gradual replacement of these positions by automated solutions poses a colossal challenge: how to support these workers in their retraining, and which sectors will be able to absorb this workforce? As you will have understood, if you work as a secretary, it is time to look into the issue.
At the same time, other professions are experiencing encouraging development. Professions related to health and wellness, for example, are growing. These, requiring a strong human and emotional dimension, are more resistant to automation. It is estimated that there will be an increase of 3 million workers in this sector by 2030, providing a positive outlook for those wishing to reskill.
