Are degrees even employable in the age of AI?
Getting a Degree completing the Graduation is directly linked with job security or a job guarantee but this is NOT true the Actual Reality is different from this theory that we have been hearing since childhood
As per the State of Working India 2026’ report by Azim Premji University, Nearly 40% of Indian graduates aged under 25 are unemployed
This is not only because of AI though there are various reasons behind it but AI is also one of the biggest reasons Forget the age of AI chatbots now here come the time of AI Agents which performs various tasks by itself they are called as Agentic AI Now that the question arises in mind
Aren’t jobs safe anymore?
Are there any jobs that are irreplaceable by AI?
Verily, there are some jobs that AI can’t replace and it remains human
what’s special about the job that remains human:
AI performs only those tasks that have algorithm, that is repetitive in nature and that has a pattern to be followed. AI doesn’t follow Morality, Ethics, wisdom, and most importantly love and affection. AI neither has the capability to perform physical work that requires human efforts and intelligence. Creativity, decision making and problem solving cannot be done through AI because AI is made by humans. It’s intelligence is limited to certain extent it cannot work beyond what has been already designed to it. So, There are some jobs that are hard for AI to replace and those jobs include all the following things that AI is not good at.
The jobs that AI won’t replace has been broadly classified into three categories:
1. Physical labor
2. Jobs that require Human and Social connection
3. Jobs that is focused on Critical thinking and Complex problem solving
Physical Labor:
physical labor includes all the tasks that require human effort, strength, energy to be put in physically in any form of work
For instance the activities that includes Lifting, Carrying, washing and Farming
Some of the examples of Physical labor are
1.Electricians:
Electricians perform task that are related to wiring and connecting the wires with the source of electricity. This not only involves physical labors but also things like critical thinking and problem solving. We cannot expect AI to climb up the ladder and solve the problem related to circuits as one small mistake in connecting the wire can lead to serious and dangerous harms
2.Construction workers:
Construction workers perform tasks that are directly linked with physical efforts. They put their energy working on mixing cement and stacking bricks in order to make a building. AI doesn’t know how can the cement get mixed where to place the bricks and how much area is to be covered. This tasks are designated to humans and will remain human
3.Carpenter:
One of the jobs that AI won’t replace is carpenters as it involves minute details to be taken care of. The cutting of woods and critically thinking where it needs to be placed and how the pieces can be attached to make a perfect furniture. While, AI lacks creativity and the ability to think for the alternatives It won’t be good at performing the task of a carpenter
Jobs that require Human and Social connection:
Jobs that are deeply rooted with the human mind and feelings cannot be replaced by machine and chips because they don’t feel they just perform tasks ordered to them. Humans has specific emotions and it is important to consider that emotions.
1.Special Teacher:
Teaching a normal child with adequate and sufficient intelligence is normal and may be easy because children grasp what is being taught for them. They have the ability to understand and respond but this is not the case for a teacher who teaches specially abled children. Every special child has their own way of learning Some learn through listening, while others learn visually Each child has unique capacity and their way of pursuing knowledge. Teaching this kind of children require immense patience, love and empathy. One way cannot work with all the children. They need to customize their ways of teaching to each and every children individually and all must get Attention otherwise special children get frustrated. This involves high level of patience and empathy. AI doesn’t have the capability to sit and understand the nature of each and every children and provide individual support and empathy to them
2.Religious leader:
It requires immense faith and most importantly understanding of the religion to give and preach everyone. One should have expertise in the religion then only he/she can influence others to follow the right path of faith and knowledge. Beyond knowledge and deeper understanding of the books it is the inner wisdom that comes within a human. AI cannot compel anyone and cannot make a strategic choice between what’s correct and what’s wrong. AI doesn’t have human attribute such as faith and wisdom and Religion cannot be faked we cannot train AI to preach everyone a specific religion
3.Psychological Counselor:
Counseling requires human efforts, empathy and understanding. One cannot resolve the problem if one actually doesn’t know how and why does a human feel such problem. The ability to understand the problem thinking as if it is our own problem can be only done by humans. We cannot expect AI to sit and listen to our Family and Financial problems. Any issues related to mental wellbeing cannot be resolved by AI because it doesn’t have the capacity and ability to understand the problem and how to convince the human mind.
Creativity, problem solving and critical thinking:
AI works on algorithms and data which has been provided to it during the time of development. It cannot go beyond a certain level of thinking and creativity unless trained. While, on the other hand human minds does not have any limits to think. It can think of the possible, impossible and alternative what if’s and these kinds of jobs that require creativity, high problem solving skills and complex critical thinking cannot be replaced by AI
1.Chef:
Chefs and cooks who are specialized in making special kinds of food cannot be replaced by AI because they work based on tastes and preferences. Their job is to mainly know what customer like and what they don’t. they can easily change a recipe if something fails and make it into another dish. Chefs frequently check their tastes and make corrections when it is needed. But AI can only work based on Algorithms it cannot check if the quantity of the salt is low it will just put as much as the amount that has been programmed into it
2.Artist
Traditional Arts and workpieces can be taken away from human but not their way of doing it. Persons who are involved in doing Artifacts and making antique, unique paintings cannot be replaced by AI because they have a ability in their hands and that ability comes only through experience. Traditional people who follow their arts cannot be replaced by AI because AI doesn’t have that creative skill
3.Entrepreneur:
Entrepreneur has Leadership Quality that helps them to carry the acitivities of the business smoothly. Ensuring smooth running even in the times of struggle and standing and telling that we can get through that is what leadership looks like. Entrepreneur and business man who have the ability to tackle the problems, think clearly and make strategic decisions cannot be replaced by AI. Because AI doesn’t have the capacity to make strategic decisions during the time of failure.
AI is good at Assisting rather than doing:
A Research from Microsoft “Working with AI measuring the occupational implications of AI” Says that AI works better as a coach, instructor and teacher rather than performing the entire task. So it clear that people who know how to use AI will replace people who don’t. Neglecting AI by thinking it as a competition can be the most irrelevant thing one can do in 2026. AI never gets tired, never complains and does the routine jobs really well. So choose AI as a assistant and be at the top1% of the people in your and you’ll become irreplaceable
Why you shouldn’t get afraid when you hear about AI:
Many people completely want to neglect AI out of fear as it can take their jobs away but it is important to know that they will only loose their job when they are unaware of AI. Everytime a new technology comes people are afraid to use it and they end up becoming outdated
Conclusion:
Through this essay it is clear that AI lacks emotions, physical effort and creativity. AI cannot replace those jobs that are truly connected with human and has human attributes and values. Only those jobs will be replaced which are repetitive in nature. AI is good at assisting rather than actually performing tasks so it is important to know that whatever career it may be it is important to be at the top 1% and know how to use AI. The message is clear that we should not get afraid of AI instead we must try to learn and apply it in our day to day life as AI can make our task easier and perform repetitive tasks. It is also important to note that AI cannot take away those kinds of tasks that are related to patience and physical efforts.
By: Saba Ambareen N
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