Microsoft releases a list of the 40 jobs most likely to be replaced by AI
On the 22nd of July 2025, Microsoft released a viral report ranking the 40 jobs most likely to be impacted by AI. Immediately, headlines claimed that roles like writers, interpreters, and sales reps were “at risk of being replaced.” But the reality is far more complex.
Yes, AI is changing how we work. But no, it isn’t a simple case of human out, machine in. Microsoft’s own researchers are clear: this list is about AI applicability, a measure of how well AI supports tasks within each job; it’s not directly about job losses.
What is Microsoft’s AI list, and how was it created?
Unlike many speculative forecasts, this study is grounded in data. Microsoft researchers analysed over 200,000 anonymised real-world interactions with Copilot, their AI generative tool, between January and September 2024. The focus was on users based in the United States, aligned with occupational data from O*NET, a US labour database.
This gave rise to the AI Applicability Score, a number from 0 to 1, indicating the overlap between a job’s tasks and AI’s current abilities.
“Our research shows that AI supports many tasks, particularly those involving research, writing, and communication, but does not indicate it can fully perform any single occupation.”
— Kiran Tomlinson, Microsoft Senior Researcher
AI is coming for degree-based jobs
One of the most surprising aspects of the study was that it challenged long-standing assumptions about job security. For decades, a university degree was seen as a reliable buffer against automation. But Microsoft’s research shows that AI is now heavily impacting even highly qualified roles.
“We find the highest AI applicability scores for knowledge work occupation groups such as computer and mathematical, and office and administrative support, as well as occupations such as sales whose work activities involve providing and communicating
Information” explained Microsoft researchers.
This includes professions like political scientists, journalists, business teachers, and management analysts, all of which ranked highly on the AI list. While these jobs are often built on critical thinking and communication, they also involve routine tasks that AI can handle well: drafting reports, generating summaries, and conducting surface-level research.
It’s a reminder that adaptability is fast becoming the most important career skill.
Top 40 jobs most impacted by AI, according to Microsoft
Microsoft released a list of the 40 occupations with the highest AI applicability scores, based on how well AI tools like Copilot can assist with typical job tasks. Here are the jobs most likely to be significantly changed by AI:
- Interpreters and Translators
- Historians
- Passenger Attendants
- Sales Representatives of Services
- Writers and Authors
- Customer Service Representatives
- CNC Tool Programmers
- Telephone Operators
- Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio DJs
- Brokerage Clerks
- Farm and Home Management Educators
- Telemarketers
- Concierges
- Political Scientists
- News Analysts, Reporters, Journalists
- Mathematicians
- Technical Writers
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers
- Hosts and Hostesses
- Editors
- Business Teachers, Post-secondary
- Public Relations Specialists
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters
- Advertising Sales Agents
- New Accounts Clerks
- Statistical Assistants
- Counter and Rental Clerks
- Data Scientists
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Archivists
- Economics Teachers, Post-secondary
- Web Developers
- Management Analysts
- Geographers
- Models
- Market Research Analysts
- Public Safety Telecommunicators
- Switchboard Operators
- Library Science Teachers, Post-secondary
Impacted doesn’t mean replaced, but there are real risks
Microsoft has been careful to clarify that a high AI applicability score does not mean a job will be eliminated. The score simply reflects how much AI can assist with typical tasks.
However, that doesn’t mean there are no consequences. Many employers, especially in sectors under pressure to reduce costs, are already:
- Pausing new hiring for roles that AI can partially automate.
- Restructuring teams to reduce headcount while boosting productivity.
- Reallocating budgets away from human resources toward digital tools.
In other words, even if AI doesn’t replace a role outright, it can change how many people are needed to do the job.
Interpreters and translators are number one on the list
Among all professions studied, translators and interpreters scored the highest AI applicability, with almost total coverage of their day-to-day tasks. This places them first on Microsoft’s list.
Let’s be honest: that is significant.
AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), is already capable of:
- Translating documents across dozens of language pairs.
- Providing instant subtitles for video and speech.
- Offering contextual rewording and adaptation.
And the quality is rising rapidly. In many commercial settings, AI-generated translations are now accurate enough to meet the basic needs of communication in informal or repetitive contexts.
But that doesn’t mean human professionals are no longer needed.
Don’t cut corners with AI
For organisations that hire interpreters and translators, such as NHS trusts, schools, legal firms, and local authorities, it's tempting to see AI as a cheaper, faster alternative.
But this is a short-sighted approach.
While AI tools may appear to perform well in widely spoken languages like English, they struggle significantly with less commonly used languages and dialects. And even among widely spoken languages, machine translations can misinterpret idioms, regional variations, or tone.
Machine translation tools may suffice for internal, informal, or repetitive tasks, but they simply do not meet the standards required for:
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Safeguarding vulnerable service users.
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Ensuring legal and medical accuracy.
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Building trust in cross-cultural or trauma-informed settings.
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Delivering inclusive, person-centred services.?
While AI can translate content, it still struggles with the complex, human aspects of language work. AI is not capable of handling the interplay between language, culture, and context, especially in real-time, high-stakes situations.
Clients must recognise this distinction if they want to deliver accessible services.
Broader implications and what the Microsoft AI job list means for everyone
Microsoft’s list sends a clear message: AI is not the future, it’s the present.
The professions most affected are not manual labourers or low-skill workers. Instead, they are highly educated professionals whose work involves language, content, and communication. These are the areas where AI tools are already being deployed at scale.
Some key takeaways:
- AI does not replace people; it replaces tasks.
- Jobs with high AI applicability are changing rapidly.
- Professionals in all fields must develop AI literacy to remain relevant.
- Human strengths, like empathy, ethics, creativity, and contextual thinking, are still irreplaceable.
The mistake is to assume that because a job can be partially automated, it’s doomed. In fact, the best outcomes often come from human-AI collaboration, not competition.
Adaptation is the new job security
The days of ignoring AI are over. To remain competitive, language professionals must study AI, not fear it. That means:
- Learning prompt engineering, knowing how to guide AI for optimal results.
- Understanding post-editing and correcting AI outputs.
- Exploring Computer-assisted Translation (CAT) tools with AI integration.
- Practising AI literacy, understanding where AI helps, and where it harms.
Rather than replacing translators and interpreters, AI is reshaping the skills they need. Professionals who blend language expertise with AI fluency will be in high demand.
Microsoft’s AI list is not a death sentence for communication professionals; it’s a wake-up call. Interpreters, translators, and many others are seeing their industries evolve.
Language experts are perfectly positioned to lead the transition into AI-augmented workflows if they choose to learn, adapt, and engage. The goal is not to “beat” AI, but to work alongside it in ways that enhance quality, accessibility, and impact.
In the end, jobs aren’t disappearing. They’re transforming. And for those willing to transform with them, the future still speaks their language.
About us
Vandu Languages is a UK-based language services agency specialising in high-quality translation, interpreting, and bilingual advocacy. We work closely with public and private sector organisations to deliver inclusive, culturally sensitive communication in over 100 languages and dialects.
Our experienced team of linguists supports everything from legal and medical interpreting to multilingual marketing materials, ensuring accuracy, empathy, and professionalism at every step. As the industry evolves, we are actively engaging with new technologies, including AI, to ensure our clients receive the right support.
If you’re looking for reliable language solutions that centre quality, ethics, and community impact, we’re here to help.
Visit www.vandu.co.uk to learn more or get in touch.
