"A good choice is to become a plumber," says Geoffrey Hinton about which professions will survive.

Mass displacement from the labor market is no longer a future scenario but an ongoing process. One of the founders of neural networks discussed which professions will disappear first and why work continues to play a key role in human life.

Geoffrey Hinton, known as the "godfather of artificial intelligence," appeared on the The Diary of a CEO podcast. In the conversation, he expressed concern about the rapid development of AI and its impact on the global labor market. According to him, technology will eventually become "better than us at everything," but even now, it is possible to identify professions that will disappear in the coming years.

First of all, professions related to routine intellectual labor are at risk. Hinton notes that tasks such as working as a legal assistant can be easily automated. He stated that with the rapid advancement of voice assistants, call center jobs are becoming less promising. To remain competitive in the labor market, high qualifications are required.

For those choosing a profession or considering a career change, the expert advises focusing on fields related to physical labor. He explained that it will take technology a long time before it can confidently handle manipulations in the real world. He also emphasized that even with the introduction of a universal basic income, the problem would not be solved: for many people, work remains a source of meaning and structure in life. Mass unemployment could lead to an increase in unhappiness — this is the most significant immediate threat posed by the development of AI.

Changes are already underway: artificial intelligence is increasingly being used for tasks previously performed by junior specialists. However, this does not always mean full automation — often, one employee using AI assistants can replace an entire team. According to Hinton, this approach will dominate most industries in the coming years.

However, there are areas that will be able to adapt. Hinton cites healthcare, where there is virtually endless demand for services. Such fields will not only preserve jobs but also serve as an example for others on how to use AI for the benefit of society — without losses to human capital.