Dad should I go to university ? Well..

I suspect AI is poised to upend many traditional career paths far more quickly than first thought - possibly just months away from huge deflation in certain industries. And I am not talking about robots in a warehouses or manufacturing. (That's just hardware/tin)

However Software.. moves much much faster and almost all desk-based jobs are technically in jeopardy!

Far before driver-less cars ever become mainstream (which I'm betting against anyway - for another blog post), I believe Solicitors and Accountants, GP's and many other previously solid careers - will be a thing of the past much much sooner!

So where better than from the horses mouth to verify this - I asked ChatGPT to support my daughter in decision making during final year of her A-Levels:

Considering university degrees in law, accountancy, or other stable careers with AI rapidly automating much of the work in these fields, will this lead to significant reduction in job opportunities, salaries, and reduce the overall value of these professions? Is university the best path forward for today’s youth? Well...

The Legal Profession: Automation and AI-Driven Deflation

The legal profession, long associated with high earning potential and job security, is undergoing a profound transformation due to AI. Technologies are now capable of performing many tasks that once required extensive human expertise, such as legal research, contract analysis, and document drafting—core activities for many junior solicitors.

AI-driven platforms can now sift through thousands of legal documents and case precedents in a fraction of the time it would take a human, often with greater accuracy. This automation is reducing the need for junior solicitors who traditionally performed these tasks. Additionally, AI applications are being developed to handle even more complex legal tasks. For example, AI is now capable of drafting legal documents, such as contracts and wills, that once required a solicitor’s careful attention.

One particularly striking example is AI in divorce proceedings. AI platforms can now manage the entire process of divorce, from initial consultations to drafting settlement agreements. These systems can mediate disputes by analysing past cases and predicting outcomes based on legal precedents. As a result, the cost of divorce could drop significantly, potentially reducing the need for solicitors in this area by as much as 70-80%.

This rapid adoption of AI is leading to a sharp deflation in the costs associated with legal services, which in turn is driving down the demand for human solicitors. For teenagers considering a career in law, this means entering a field that is likely to become more competitive, with diminishing financial rewards. The traditional path of spending years at university and then qualifying as a solicitor may no longer provide the secure future it once promised.

Accountancy: The Decline of Traditional Roles

Accountancy is another field under threat from AI. Traditionally seen as a stable and respectable career path, accountancy is being reshaped by AI’s ability to automate many routine tasks. Bookkeeping, payroll processing, tax preparation, and even auditing can now be handled by AI-driven software that can perform these functions faster, more accurately, and at a lower cost than human accountants.

AI systems can automatically reconcile transactions, generate financial statements, and identify discrepancies in financial data without the need for human oversight. In tax preparation, AI can navigate complex tax codes, optimise tax returns, and even predict potential audits—all tasks that previously required the detailed knowledge and expertise of an accountant.

As AI continues to evolve, the demand for traditional accountancy roles is expected to decline sharply. While there will still be a need for accountants, these roles will shift towards more strategic and advisory positions, where professionals will need to interpret AI-generated data and provide insights that machines cannot. However, these roles will be fewer in number, and competition for them will be intense.

For anyone considering accountancy, the field is shrinking, and the opportunities it offers may not provide the job security or financial stability they once did. With the deflation in the cost of accountancy services and the likelihood of lower salaries, the value of spending years and significant amounts of money on a university degree in this field is questionable.

General Practice Medicine: The AI Impact on Healthcare

General practice medicine has traditionally been seen as one of the most prestigious and stable professions. However, even this field is not immune to the advances of AI. The healthcare industry is on the verge of a significant transformation, with AI-driven systems capable of performing diagnostics, monitoring patient health, and even managing treatment plans.

AI’s ability to analyse vast amounts of medical data quickly and accurately means that many routine tasks currently performed by GPs could soon be automated. For instance, AI can diagnose conditions by analysing medical images, lab results, and patient histories—often with greater accuracy than human doctors. AI-powered virtual assistants are already being used to handle initial patient consultations, manage follow-up appointments, and provide basic medical advice, reducing the burden on GPs.

Moreover, AI-driven diagnostic tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated. For example, AI systems can now detect early signs of diseases such as cancer or heart disease by analysing medical imaging far more quickly and accurately than a human doctor could. This reduces the need for routine check-ups and diagnostics that have traditionally been a staple of general practice.

While AI is unlikely to replace GPs entirely, it will significantly reduce the demand for them. The role of the GP is likely to shift towards overseeing AI systems and managing more complex cases that require human judgment and empathy. However, as with law and accountancy, the number of GP positions available is expected to decline, and competition for these roles will increase.

For teenagers considering a career in medicine, particularly as a GP, the future may hold fewer opportunities and potentially lower financial rewards. The high cost of medical education, combined with the uncertainty of job availability and potential earnings, makes this a less secure option than it once was.

Rethinking University in an AI-Driven World

Given the rapid advancements in AI and the resulting deflation in traditional professions, parents and teenagers should seriously consider whether university is the best path forward. The traditional model of obtaining a degree in law, accountancy, or medicine is becoming increasingly risky as these fields face significant disruption from AI.

Instead of automatically pursuing a university education, it might be wiser to explore alternative paths that are less vulnerable to automation. Apprenticeships, vocational training, and short courses in emerging fields such as technology, AI development, and data science can provide valuable skills without the burden of a long and expensive university education. These fields are growing rapidly and offer opportunities that are likely to remain in demand, even as AI continues to advance.

Moreover, developing skills that AI cannot easily replicate—such as creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving—will be crucial in the future job market. Encouraging teenagers to pursue education and training in these areas could provide them with a more secure and adaptable career path.

Conclusion: Preparing for a New Economic Reality

The world is changing rapidly, and the careers that were once considered safe bets are now under threat from AI-driven automation. For parents guiding their teenagers through career choices, it’s important to recognise these shifts and adapt accordingly. Not only are law, accountancy, and general practice medicine becoming less attractive due to deflation and job scarcity, but the traditional university route itself may no longer offer the returns on investment it once did.

Encouraging teenagers to explore alternative educational paths and develop a broad skill set that can adapt to the demands of a technology-driven world will be key to ensuring their success in the future. The AI revolution is not just a distant possibility—it’s happening now, and those who prepare for it will be the ones who thrive in the years to come.

Interesting - so what's best to focus on or less susceptible to AI:

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to advance and disrupt various industries, it's important to consider careers and sectors where AI is less likely to replace human workers, especially without the integration of robotics. Here are some jobs and industries that are less susceptible to AI-driven deflation:

1. Creative Industries (bit odd as I thought this was doomed)

• Art, Design, and Music: While AI can generate artwork and music, the human element of creativity, emotional expression, and originality is difficult for AI to replicate. Jobs that require unique artistic vision, such as fine arts, graphic design, and music composition, are likely to remain in demand.
• Writing and Content Creation: While AI can assist with generating text, human creativity is essential for crafting compelling narratives, developing original ideas, and creating content that resonates emotionally with audiences. Jobs like novelists, screenwriters, and content creators require a human touch that AI cannot easily replace.

2. Healthcare (makes sense)

• Mental Health Professionals: Therapists, counsellors, and psychologists rely heavily on empathy, active listening, and human connection to treat patients. While AI can assist with diagnostics, the therapeutic relationship is built on trust and understanding, which AI cannot replicate.
• Palliative Care and Nursing: Providing care to terminally ill patients, offering comfort, and managing emotional well-being are deeply human tasks. The ability to empathize and provide physical and emotional support in palliative care and nursing roles is something AI cannot replicate without the presence of robotics.

3. Education (hmmm)

• Teachers and Educators: Although AI can support learning through personalised education platforms, the role of a teacher involves mentoring, inspiring, and managing classroom dynamics—tasks that require emotional intelligence and human interaction. Educators who can adapt to AI tools and integrate them into their teaching methods will likely thrive.
• Special Education: Teaching students with special needs requires a high level of empathy, adaptability, and personalised approaches, making it difficult for AI to fully replace these roles.

4. Human-Centric Leadership Roles (emotional intel!)

• Management and Executive Roles: Leadership requires complex decision-making, emotional intelligence, strategic vision, and the ability to motivate and inspire teams. These skills are deeply human and involve a level of judgment and intuition that AI lacks. Managers and executives who can navigate the human aspects of leadership will continue to be valuable.
• Human Resources (HR): While AI can handle administrative tasks in HR, roles that involve resolving conflicts, fostering company culture, and managing human relationships will still require a human touch.

5. Social Work and Community Services (fair play)

• Social Workers: Social workers engage with vulnerable populations, providing support, counselling, and advocacy. The human ability to understand complex social dynamics and offer empathetic guidance is crucial in these roles.
• Community Organizers: Building and leading community initiatives, driving social change, and engaging diverse groups of people are tasks that require deep understanding of human emotions and social structures, making them difficult for AI to automate.

6. Research and Innovation (hopefully at a reduced in cost aka covid)

• Scientific Research: While AI can assist with data analysis and simulations, the process of hypothesis generation, experimental design, and interpreting complex results often requires creative and critical thinking that AI cannot fully replicate.
• R&D in Technology: Innovating new technologies, especially in fields like biotechnology, renewable energy, and AI itself, requires human ingenuity, experimentation, and the ability to think outside the box.

7. Ethics and Philosophy (probably)

• Ethicists and Philosophers: AI lacks the ability to navigate complex moral landscapes and address the nuanced ethical questions that arise from technological advancements. Roles that involve debating, formulating, and applying ethical principles are inherently human.
• Policy Makers: Creating, debating, and implementing public policies require a deep understanding of human society, ethics, and the impact of laws on people’s lives—areas where human judgment is crucial.

8. Emergency and Crisis Management (of-course!)

• First Responders: Firefighters, police officers, and paramedics often work in unpredictable environments that require quick thinking, human judgment, and the ability to respond to complex, life-threatening situations. These roles demand adaptability and empathy that AI cannot replicate without robotics.
• Crisis Counsellors: Providing immediate emotional support and practical guidance during crises, such as natural disasters or personal tragedies, is a deeply human role that requires empathy and the ability to manage complex emotions.

9. Craftsmanship and Skilled Trades (absolutely)

• Artisan Crafts: Jobs that require handcrafting, such as woodworking, jewellery making, and bespoke tailoring, rely on human skill, creativity, and attention to detail. The personal touch and unique qualities of handcrafted items cannot be replicated by AI.
• Specialized Mechanical Work: While AI and robotics can automate many manufacturing processes, highly specialized mechanical work, such as custom car restoration or precision instrument repair, often requires the expertise and hands-on skill of a human craftsman.

10. Entertainment and Media (not if you ask Hollywood)

• Actors and Performers: While AI can create digital avatars and virtual actors, the charisma, spontaneity, and emotional depth that human actors bring to performances are irreplaceable. Jobs in acting, live performance, and entertainment hosting rely on human presence and connection with the audience.
• Journalists: Investigative journalism, where uncovering truths and telling human stories is central, relies on human curiosity, intuition, and the ability to navigate complex social and political environments. While AI can assist with data-driven reporting, the investigative and narrative aspects require a human touch.

Industries Less Likely to See Deflation (Nice!)

These roles exist in industries where human qualities—such as creativity, empathy, leadership, and ethical judgment—are irreplaceable by AI. Consequently, these sectors are less likely to experience deflation due to AI advancements. Industries such as creative arts, healthcare (particularly mental health and palliative care), education, human-centric leadership, social work, and skilled craftsmanship are expected to maintain or even grow in value as AI continues to evolve.

In these areas, rather than seeing wages driven down by automation, we may see a premium placed on human skills that cannot be easily replicated by machines. Encouraging teenagers to pursue careers in these fields, or to develop skills that complement AI, could be a wise strategy for navigating the future job market.

Even more Good news:

The Resilience of Human-Centric Roles

While AI is transforming many industries and automating numerous tasks, roles that rely on human relationships, emotional intelligence, and personalised interactions are proving to be more resilient. Consultative sales for example, with its emphasis on building long-term client relationships and providing tailored solutions, is one such field where human skills remain indispensable.

For individuals considering a career in sales, focusing on the consultative approach and honing relationship-building skills will be crucial. As AI continues to automate more routine tasks, the value of human connection and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics will only become more important. In this context, consultative sales represents a career path that is less susceptible to AI disruption and offers opportunities for long-term success.