In July 2025, Microsoft Research published a pioneering study titled “Working with AI: Measuring the Occupational Implications of Generative AI” (read the full study here). The paper represents one of the most data-driven looks to date at how AI is reshaping the labor market.

Drawing on 200,000 anonymised Copilot interactions from U.S. professionals in 2024, the research mapped how employees actually use AI in their daily work. Microsoft introduced an AI Applicability Score per occupation. This ranking sheds light on which jobs are undergoing the most transformation through AI and which remain least affected.

Top 20 Jobs most impacted and safest from AI disruption 

• Top 10 positions most impacted by AI

According to the study, these roles are most exposed to AI integration:

1. Interpreters and Translators

2. Historians

3. Passenger Attendants

4. Sales Representatives (Services)

5. Writers and Authors

6. Customer Service Representatives

7. CNC Tool Programmers

8. Telephone Operators

9. Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks

10. Broadcast Announcers and Radio DJs

These jobs share one thing in common: they involve repetitive information handling, communication, or knowledge-heavy tasks, areas where AI can offer speed and efficiency.

• Top 10 positions safest from AI Disruption

On the other side, the study shows that roles least impacted by AI are typically manual, physical, or machinery-driven jobs. Among them:

1. Nursing Assistants

2. Massage Therapists

3. Water Treatment Plant & Systems Operators

4. Pile Driver Operators

5. Truck and Tractor Operators

6. Dishwashers

7. Roofers

8. Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

9. Logging Equipment Operators

10. Motorboat Operators

These roles demand hands-on expertise and human presence, areas where AI cannot easily replace human workers.

Why this matters now: growing pressure & the need to upskill

The shift is no longer theoretical. In recent months, several organisations across industries have announced workforce reductions explicitly tied to AI adoption. For businesses, this underscores a crucial truth: waiting is not an option. The companies that thrive will be those that anticipate change, adapt their workforce strategies, and proactively reskill employees to work alongside AI. 

AI adoption means job transformation. Companies that integrate Microsoft Copilot and related tools can redefine workflows, upskill employees, and unlock new levels of productivity.

At Business Elements Reply, as a privileged Microsoft partner, we help organisations identify which roles in their teams are most impacted by AI, deploy Microsoft Copilot and AI-driven solutions tailored to their workflows, train employees to collaborate effectively with AI, build long-term resilience strategies to ensure smooth adoption.

Get in touch with our Microsoft AI experts today to turn AI from a challenge into your competitive advantage.