The 22 safest jobs during the robot revolution

Recreation workers

Do you dream of working with Tom Haverford, Leslie Knope, and Ann Perkins? If so, good news: Robots won't dash those dreams.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.61%.

Photo: Phil Ramey/RameyPix/Corbis

Fitness trainers

Automation may be on the rise, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so too is the rate of obesity in children and adults.

Wearables and fitness apps address the issue, but there's no automated substitute for the encouragement and accountability that a human personal trainer can provide.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 8.5%.

Photo: Corey Jenkins/Corbis

Nutritionists

Obesity rates and robots' failure to provide a human level of accountability should protect the nutritionist profession from obsolescence in the near term, too.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.39%.

Photo: B. Boissonnet/BSIP/Corbis

Makeup artists

Like many other professions that involve creativity and artistry, it's unlikely that robots will replace makeup artists any time soon. Besides, would you let a robot come at your face with a lipstick roller?

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 1.0%.

Photo: moodboard/Corbis

Dentists and oral surgeons

The field of dentistry is full of technical wonders -- you can now have a replacement tooth 3D printed, for example. But even as this technology improves, it's unlikely any of it will replace dentists.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.44%.

Photo: Wolfgang Flamisch/Corbis

Architect

Relax, handsome stock photo architect, you can sit there looking as aloof as you want. After all, your job isn't at risk to robots -- success as an engineer requires large amounts of human creativity, artistry, and innovation.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 1.8%.

Photo: Josef Lindau/Corbis

Multimedia artists and animators

Creative fields like animation aren't necessarily immune to automation, but they're better protected than most. A person needs to be involved to make sure that what the computer outputs will look pleasing and be entertaining to other humans.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.9%.

Photo: Waltraud Grubitzsch/dpa/Corbis

Forester

It's no secret that automation has already done in a number of forester jobs in the logging industry. But the Oxford University study seems to put a premium on environmental and conservation efforts, suggesting that the bulk of these automation casualties have already been, um, cut.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.81%.

Photo: Gaetano/Corbis

Firefighting supervisors

According to Oxford University, the average firefighter is unlikely (17%) to lose his or her job to a robot any time soon.

That said, the study singles out first-line firefighting supervisors as enjoying an even higher level of job security than the rank and file.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.36%.

Photo: Dann Tardif/LWA/Corbis

Floral designers

It's unlikely that floral designer will be a hot growth profession over the next few decades. But it's also unlikely that florists will be replaced en masse by robots.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 4.7%.

Photo: J. James/Corbis

Photographers

These days, cameras are everywhere. But there's a certain amount of skill and creativity necessary to craft a compelling photograph -- just as it takes a trained eye to know what scenes are worth immortalizing.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.9%.

Photo: Tina Hager/arabianEye/arabianEye/Corbis

Physicians and surgeons

Walk in to any operating room in the country, and you'll see plenty of machines performing important, life-saving duties. But you'll also see doctors and other medical professionals on hand to operate those machines, ensure they're working properly, and know what to do in emergencies when they're not immediately available for use.

The probability of these jobs being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.42%.

Photo: Ben Edwards/Corbis

Lawyers

We'll concede that a robot would likely have no problem passing the bar exam -- it simply needs to be programmed with all the answers. But when it comes to arguing cases in front of a human judge and jury, robots lack the same ability to connect and persuade as a human lawyer does.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 3.5%.

Photo: Heide Benser/Corbis

Nurses

Nurses provide a level of human tenderness, care, and emotional support that robots cannot easily replicate.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.9%.

Photo: Marilyn Angel Wynn/Nativestock Pictures/Corbis

Coaches

Good coaches do more than just call plays -- they serve as key leadership figures, connect with individual athletes, and provide encouragement and support. That's not a great match for computerization.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 1.3%.

Photo: Nice One Productions/Corbis

Engineers

For the most part, engineers face a relatively low risk of job loss due to automation.

According to the Oxford study, mechanical engineers face one of the lowest rates of automation (1.1%), followed closely by chemical (1.7%), aerospace (1.7%), environmental (1.8%), and civil engineering (1.9%).

But not all engineering professions are safe: Agricultural engineers have a near 50-50 shot to lose their job to a computer sometime in the next few decades.

Photo: Tim Pannell/Corbis

Clergy

Few things are more human (and less machine) than faith and a belief in a higher power.

As such, it's unlikely that robots will ever take over houses of worship -- Futurama's Reverend Lionel Preacherbot aside.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.81%.

Photo: Jason Horowitz/Corbis

Psychologists

Given the sensitivity and compassion required to deal with mental health issues, it stands to reason that psychologists and mental health professionals in general will be relatively immune to the robot revolution.

Psychology Today notes, however, that "robot-enhanced therapy" is yielding promising results in patients diagnosed with dementia and those who are autistic.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.43%.

Also see: Is the world ready for a robot psychiatrist? A conversation with Joanne Pransky

Photo: Wavebreak Media LTD/Wavebreak Media Ltd./Corbis

Musical directors and composers

Can a machine write a better song than Mozart could? Perhaps someday. As for the next few decades, writing and performing pop hits, country ballads, and more will be the domain of humans, not computers.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 1.5%.

Photo: Tim Pannell/Corbis

Preschool and elementary teachers

We concede that the future of the teaching profession will involve plenty of automated learning tools and possibly even telepresence robots.

But full automation? Probably not -- small kids require too much supervision.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.44% for elementary school teachers and 0.74% for preschool teachers.

Also see: Humans 2.0: How the robot revolution is going to change how we see, feel, and talk, AI, Automation, and Tech Jobs (TechRepublic/ZDNet special feature), Why AI could destroy more jobs than it creates, and how to save them, and 10 ways automation may open up new IT job opportunities

Photo: Sharie Kennedy/LWA/Corbis

Archaeologist

Don't let robots dash your hopes of becoming the next Indiana Jones.

According to Oxford University, archaeologists are at incredibly low risk of job loss due to computerization -- perhaps because their field work is so painstaking and intricate.

The probability of this job being computerized in the next couple decades: 0.77%.

George Steinmetz/Corbis