We are entering 2026 at a time when ambitions for artificial intelligence are in full swing in the tech world. With each passing week, AI systems are becoming faster, cheaper, and more capable. With this progress, the fear of machines replacing humans is no longer limited to factory floors. From tech leaders to AI researchers, including Geoffrey Hinton, known as the Godfather of AI, already fear a future where machines will be able to take over humans’ jobs. Of the jobs most vulnerable to automation, Microsoft has released a list of 40 jobs where AI already shows a strong ability to handle key tasks.

The findings come from the latest research from Microsoft, which analyzed over 200,000 real-world interactions with its Copilot AI chatbot. The goal of the research was to understand where generative AI is already being used effectively in the workplace, and which roles are most exposed to disruption. The researchers shared results ranking businesses based on an “AI usability score,” measuring how well AI can perform the core tasks of each job.

Jobs most at risk

According to the study, roles that rely heavily on language, information processing, analysis, and communication are the most vulnerable to AI disruption. Topping the list are interpreters and translators, followed by historians, passenger attendants, services sales representatives, and writers and authors. Behind are customer service representatives, CNC tool programmers, telephone operators, ticket agents and travel clerks, and broadcast announcers and radio DJs.

Complete List of Jobs Expected to be Replaced by AI

1. Interpreters and translators
2. historians
3. passenger attendant
4. Services Sales Representative
5. writer and writer
6. customer service representative
7. cnc tool programmer
8. telephone operator
9. Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
10. Broadcast announcer and radio DJ
11. brokerage clerk
12. Farm and Home Management Teacher
13. ones
14. gatekeeper
15. political scientist
16. News Analysts, Reporters and Journalists
17. mathematicians
18. technical writer
19. Proofreader and copy marker
20. Hosts and Hostesses
21. Editor
22. Business Teachers, Postsecondary
23. public relations specialist
24. Demonstrator and product promoter
25. advertising sales agent
26. new accounts clerk
27. statistical assistant
28. Counter and Rental Clerk
29. data scientist
30. personal financial advisor
31. archivist
32. Economics Teacher, Postsecondary
33. web developers
34. management analyst
35. Geography
36. model
37. Market Research Analyst
38. public safety telecommunications
39. switchboard operator
40. Library Science Teacher, Post Secondary

While the list spans many sectors, what connects these businesses is their reliance on tasks that generative AI already performs well, such as writing, summarizing, analyzing data, answering questions, and producing structured content. In many of these roles, AI can now handle a significant portion of the day-to-day work faster and at lower cost.

However, Microsoft emphasizes that this does not mean that humans will disappear from these jobs overnight. Research shows that AI is not completely replacing any business yet. Instead, it is reshaping how work is done. Even in high-risk roles like translation, journalism, or customer support, human judgment, accountability, and creativity remain essential.