Workers around the world have been worried about artificial intelligence. Headlines about layoffs at big companies and warnings from experts have created anxiety that AI could take over human jobs. Many feared that machines would replace humans in offices, courts, and data centers.
But recent research reveals a surprising twist. Instead of eliminating jobs, AI may be helping certain roles grow and even increase in pay. This trend is unexpected, especially for jobs considered highly vulnerable to automation.
Jobs Most Vulnerable to AI Are Growing
A survey conducted by Vanguard looked at 140 roles considered highly exposed to AI, including clerical workers, HR assistants, law firm clerks, data scientists, and typists. These are jobs where people spend long hours performing repetitive tasks that AI could, in theory, do without human help.
Despite widespread fears, employment in these roles has actually increased. From mid-2023 to mid-2025, jobs in these positions grew by 1.7%, compared with only 1% growth before the pandemic. This indicates that roles many experts thought might disappear are instead expanding.
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Not only are more people working in these positions, but wages are rising too. Average real pay in these vulnerable jobs increased 3.8% post-pandemic, compared with just 0.1% before the pandemic. In contrast, other jobs less exposed to AI saw slower employment growth and smaller pay increases.
This data suggests that AI has not caused mass layoffs. In fact, it may be quietly making certain roles more valuable by increasing both employment opportunities and pay.
Why AI Isn’t Replacing Humans Yet
One major reason these jobs are still thriving is that AI technology is not perfect. AI systems sometimes make errors, often called “hallucinations,” and they are not yet reliable enough to fully replace humans in many roles.
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Even though AI can handle repetitive tasks, humans are still essential for oversight, judgment, and complex decision-making. Roles like clerical work, HR assistance, legal support, and data science often require understanding context, solving problems, and making careful decisions—tasks AI cannot fully manage.
This explains why jobs most exposed to AI are still in demand. Workers are needed to review AI outputs, correct mistakes, and manage activities that require skill and critical thinking. Rather than replacing humans, AI is enhancing their work, freeing them to focus on higher-value tasks and responsibilities.
Real Impact on Workers
The survey highlights how AI is changing the job market in unexpected ways. Jobs considered highly vulnerable to automation are seeing both employment growth and higher pay, which is a surprise for workers who expected AI to reduce opportunities.
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Clerical staff, HR assistants, law clerks, and data scientists—roles often seen as at risk—are now experiencing more job openings and higher wages. According to the survey, there is no evidence that occupations exposed to AI are experiencing lower employment.
While AI tools will continue to evolve and may eventually disrupt some roles, current trends show that these jobs are currently thriving. AI has not triggered the mass unemployment many feared. Instead, it seems to increase the value of certain roles and support workers in performing their tasks more efficiently.
This shows a more nuanced relationship between humans and AI, where technology is not simply replacing human workers but is augmenting their work and making certain roles more valuable. The data provides a clear picture: for now, AI is creating opportunities rather than taking them away, boosting wages, and helping jobs grow.
