WASHINGTON (7News) — New workforce analysis is raising questions about how AI could reshape jobs across the DMV.
Researchers found that D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are among the places where AI has some of the highest potential to either wipe out or transform jobs. In Maryland, researchers estimate nearly 40% of the workforce is in occupations where AI can do the job. D.C. ranks even higher, with more than 55% of workers in jobs threatened by AI.
The analysis looked at more than 800 occupations and broke them down by daily tasks — then rated how easily AI could perform or assist with those tasks.
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The jobs flagged as most at risk include database administrators, bookkeeping and accounting clerks, financial and investment analysts, computer systems analysts, and computer network architects.
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But researchers found that tasks that require relationships, judgment, emotional intelligence, or physical presence are much harder to replace.
Think crossing guards, construction workers and those who do home improvement work, like painters, plumbers, etc. — Jobs that require you to maintain relationships with stakeholders, etc.
One University of Maryland business professor says his data shows D.C. ranks #1 in the country, and Maryland #3 for creating AI-related jobs — which is good for recent graduates.
“Young people are more AI native, so therefore they can make obviously better use of all the AI tools. At the same time, they’re also less expensive. And so a rational employer, given a choice, is going to prefer a young graduate, and that’s what our data supports,” said University of Maryland Smith School of Business Professor Anil Gupta.
“I know personally, people who are 24 years old, who are machine learning engineers working in New York, and they’re making 300,000… 24 years old!”
Professor Gupta said the key is not necessarily becoming a machine learning engineer — but learning how to use AI in the job you already have. I understand most of us aren’t recent grads, but there are courses to learn how to be efficient in AI. The University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business offers a free certificate program called AI and Career Empowerment for people looking to build those skills.