Empowering the Freelance Economy

How to rethink your career when your freelance niche is threatened by AI

A new study reveals which jobs are most at risk from AI and what you can do about it
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With automation reshaping the job market, many are asking: Are my skills safe? A new study reveals which jobs are most at risk from AI and what you can do about it

We all know technology is changing how we work, but a new study by a gaming company has put some hard numbers on just how much AI will impact certain jobs over the next decade. The findings, based on employment decline rates and AI automation risk scores, show a clear picture of which careers are most likely to disappear by 2033.

Jobs on the brink: What’s disappearing fastest?

Unwavering in his conviction about generative AI’s transformative power, Eric Vaughan, CEO of IgniteTech, made the radical decision to replace nearly 80% of his workforce within a year to align the company with his vision. If more CEOs follow suit, employees not willing to grasp AI will be shoved out. Now, even those companies less ruthless will be looking to cut costs, and certain jobs will be the first to go, such as routine data-driven tasks.

  • Data entry positions rank as the fastest-declining occupation, with 25% of these jobs disappearing by 2033.
  • AI threatens the underground mining operators the most, as there is a 97% likelihood that these jobs will be automated.
  • Best-paid workers at risk are computer programmers earning close to 100K USD per year while facing a 10% workforce reduction.

The study looked at the top 10 jobs most likely to vanish. And the number one spot? Data entry keyers.

With a huge 25% of jobs expected to disappear by 2033 and a 95% chance of being automated, this role is practically on life support. Why? Computers can now handle processing information faster and more accurately than humans.

Following closely behind are underground mining operators, with a staggering 97% automation risk. And even though they are among the best-paid workers on the list, computer programmers aren’t safe either, with a 9.6% reduction in jobs expected by 2033.

Here’s the full list of the top 10 most threatened jobs:

  • Data entry keyers
  • Loading and moving machine operators (underground mining)
  • Payroll and timekeeping clerks
  • Fast food cooks
  • Cashiers
  • File clerks
  • Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
  • General office clerks
  • Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks
  • Computer programmers

Why is this happening?

The simple answer is efficiency and cost-cutting. AI can do repetitive tasks with speed and accuracy that humans just can’t match. For freelancers, this means roles built purely on administrative or mechanical tasks are at risk.

Think about it:

Cashiers are being replaced by self-checkout machines.

Bookkeepers face stiff competition from AI accounting software.

Even programmers are seeing AI write code, threatening their once secure positions.


What can a freelancer do when AI takes over their job?

The study isn’t all bad news, though. While some jobs are disappearing, new ones are emerging that combine human skills with AI tools.

A spokesperson for the company behind the study suggests a positive outlook: “The real opportunity lies in how workers adapt and retrain during this transition. While some jobs disappear, new roles emerge that combine human judgment with AI tools.”

Identify your transferable skills. Scan those skills in job searches. Got great attention to detail as a data entry worker? That’s perfect for quality control. Understand business processes as a bookkeeper? That’s valuable in consulting. The goal is to move up the value chain.

Colleges and online courses will be vital in helping mid-career professionals learn new skills without having to stop working completely.

This is a wake-up call, but also a chance to evolve. By focusing on skills that AI can’t replicate—like creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence—you can future-proof your freelance career.

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