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These Jobs Are Next in Line for AI Disruption

Belinda Moore
Jul 26, 2025By Belinda Moore

The AI conversation is growing louder. But AI isn’t reshaping the world equally. Some professions are being transformed at lightning speed, while others are barely touched. And the organisations best placed to help industries navigate that uneven impact? Associations.

A new study from Microsoft titled “Working with AI: Measuring the Occupational Implications of Generative AI” offers the most in-depth real-world insight we’ve seen yet. It examined over 200,000 AI interactions across 14,000 users from a diverse range of sectors and roles.

The takeaway? How AI impacts you depends entirely on what you do – and that means every association must understand its unique risk and opportunity profile. And if your association isn’t leading the AI conversation in your industry, someone else will. And your members will follow them.

🎯 AI Isn’t Coming for “All Jobs” – Just Some Tasks in Some Jobs

The study took a practical approach: instead of asking experts to speculate on AI’s future impact, it analysed how real people across occupations are already using AI. And what it found is sobering and strategic. AI is being used for five core tasks across industries:

  • Writing and editing
  • Summarising or explaining
  • Coding and technical support
  • Teaching and coaching
  • Translation or transcription

The more a role involves these types of work, the more susceptible it is to disruption (or enhancement) from generative AI.

🔍Industries Most Impacted by AI

Based on real-world usage, here are the occupations and sectors most exposed to generative AI – where it's not just being tested, but integrated into daily workflows:

High Impact / High Exposure Industries:

  • Computer & Mathematical Professions: Software engineers, data scientists, systems analysts
  • Office & Administrative Support: Executive assistants, scheduling clerks, customer data entry
  • Sales & Customer Support: Inside sales, technical sales, customer service reps
  • Writing, Editing & Content Development: Copywriters, editors, communications professionals
  • Translators & Interpreters: Particularly for written or simultaneous translation
  • Education, Training & Coaching: Learning designers, tutors, knowledge managers
  • Legal Support & Analysis: Paralegals, legal researchers, compliance documentation
  • Marketing & PR: Content marketers, SEO specialists, media advisors
  • Financial Services: Budget analysts, insurance underwriters, auditors

Moderate Impact – Partial Task Replacement:

  • Medical Records & Billing
  • Journalism & Media
  • Human Resources & Recruiting
  • Real Estate & Property Management

Low Exposure / Low Current Impact:

  • Construction & Trades
  • Nursing Support & Patient Care
  • Hospitality & Food Services
  • Transport & Logistics (manual roles)
  • Machinery Operators & Installers
  • Agricultural Labour
  • Early Childhood Education (practical care)

These “low exposure” sectors involve manual tasks, physical dexterity, on-site presence, or emotional labour where AI either struggles or is simply not fit for purpose… yet.

🧭 What Should Associations Do?

This is not a spectator sport. Associations are ideally placed to convene, educate, regulate, and lead their industries through this transformation. Here’s what that looks like:

1. Understand Your Sector's AI Exposure

  • Conduct a task-level review: which member roles involve high AI-applicable tasks (writing, summarising, teaching)?
  • Run a pulse survey: how are members currently using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or other platforms?
  • Don’t generalise – AI’s impact differs even within sectors (e.g. marketing assistant vs event coordinator).

2. Create an AI-Readiness Roadmap for Members

  • Offer webinars and CPD on prompt engineering, AI ethics, productivity gains, and risk management.
  • Develop toolkits that help members navigate tool selection, internal policy, and client expectations.
  • Publish sector-specific position papers or guides outlining likely changes, opportunities, and up-skilling pathways.

3. Advocate for Sensible AI Governance

  • Lobby for regulation that protects jobs without stifling innovation.
  • Work with educators to future-proof qualifications and training programs.
  • Ensure your sector’s voice is heard in public and political conversations on AI.

4. Experiment Internally – Model the Change

  • Use AI in your own operations: member service, policy drafting, marketing content.
  • Pilot use cases and transparently share results with members.
  • Develop internal ethical guidelines to maintain trust while increasing efficiency.

5. Support Emotional Readiness, Not Just Skills

  • AI anxiety is real – especially in sectors where roles are clearly threatened.
  • Create safe spaces for discussion: think forums, roundtables, or anonymous surveys.
  • Help members reframe AI from job-replacement to task-transformation.

🛠 Associations Must Lead the Charge

The AI wave is crashing differently on every shoreline. Associations can’t afford to wait and see. They must: Understand their sector’s exposure; Educate and support members early; and Drive the conversations that shape fair, smart, and practical adoption. This is about leadership in its truest form. Not just adapting your own organisation – but helping an entire profession or industry evolve responsibly.

Whether you're representing education, engineering, animal health, finance, design, policy, or events – the question isn’t if AI will change your profession. The question is: Will your association lead that change – or chase it?

🪄Need Some Help?

Want some support on your AI journey? Contact Julian Moore to find out how we can help you lead the way for AI in your sector.