Robots vs. Humans: 20 Small Business Jobs That Cannot Be Automated

Automation is making its mark on a number of different industries. But there are still some jobs that require a human presence. So even as larger companies may be automating jobs, there are some jobs and tasks that cannot be turned over to machines. Here are 20 different jobs at your small business or that you could start a small business around that in most cases CANNOT be automated.

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Jobs that Cannot Be Automated

Designer

Machines don’t have the ability to see things in the same way humans do. So any job that requires creating something aesthetically pleasing, from clothing lines to interiors to websites, is best left to actual human designers.

Artisan Chef

Automation in the restaurant industry continues to expand. But if you’ve got a restaurant where you make unique or custom dishes, that’s not something that can really be automated. You need an actual chef who can create unique taste combinations and experiment to find the best recipes and processes.

Garbage Collector

There are plenty of manual labor jobs that can’t be automated as well. Garbage collecting, for instance, isn’t repetitive work. So it requires humans to evaluate and pick up various items.

Gardener

Gardening is another job that requires an actual human perspective, since each garden or property is likely to require different things.

Security Guard

Security and public safety workers are also not in danger of losing jobs to automation any time soon. Sure, you can use technology to give security workers better access to your building or property. But you still need an actual person to evaluate and address any potential issues.

Construction Worker

It’s also probably best not to trust machines alone with things like constructing buildings, bridges and other structures. Actual construction workers are able to evaluate obstacles and use human problem solving skills to complete these projects satisfactorily.

Architect

Likewise, architects need to be able to visually evaluate and design different structures. So it’s not something a machine can really take on.

Writer

Whether you’re a publisher or a business owner looking to hire a copywriter, it’s important to have an actual human who understands language patterns and nuance behind any written work that you put out into the world.

Researcher

Research is also something that’s best left to professionals. If you’re hiring a researcher, you need someone who can gain a deep understanding of what to look for and put together a comprehensive analysis of relevant data.

Musician

Robots also aren’t able to evaluate sounds to the degree that it would take to really compose or write music.

Instructor

If you’re looking to fill a job that involves teaching, instructing or training in any way, that’s also something that really requires a human employee. Humans have the ability to convey information in a way that others are more likely to understand, as well as reframe that information, demonstrate processes and answer questions.

Retail Salesperson

There are some parts of the sales process that can be automated. But if you’re looking for help with in-person retail sales, a real salesperson can offer shoppers input on things like color, fit and quality where automation cannot.

Programmer

Mobile and web programmers are in high demand at a lot of small businesses. And it’s a job that requires a lot of creative problem solving best left to an actual human.

Consultant

Consultants are responsible for helping individuals or businesses address various issues. So it requires you to be able to address each problem or obstacle individually, not something that’s easily automated.

HR Professional

You can certainly automate certain parts of the hiring process. But actually evaluating and interviewing candidates is best left to a human being who can understand nuance and communicate clearly.

Skilled Trade Worker

Plumbers, electricians, carpenters and other skilled trade workers are also safe from automation for the foreseeable future. These jobs require technical skill and problem solving abilities that require an actual human touch and reasoning skills.

Engineer

Engineers specialize in solving complicated problems in various fields. So it’s not a job that you could easily do through automation, though there are plenty of tech tools that can help real engineers get the job done.

Photographer

Photography requires a strong eye for balance, color and other visual factors. So if you need visually pleasing photos for your business, you should hire an actual human to take those photos.

Therapist

Therapists help people work through a variety of different issues or concerns. So strong problem solving skills are a must.

Manager

Any time you need to hire someone to manage employees, your best bet is to go with an actual human. Automation isn’t able to evaluate performance and communicate as effectively.

Robot, Worker Photos via Shutterstock

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