Which professionals will AI replace in the next 5–10 years? Expert opinion

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the labor market, primarily threatening professions involving routine and low-skilled work. Kirill Malofeev, CEO of Rus.Tsifra LLC, highlighted copywriters, artists, designers, and entry-level programmers as the most vulnerable categories in an interview with Tsargrad.tv. According to his forecast, these changes will become evident over the next 5 to 10 years.

Malofeev’s Forecast: Who’s at Risk?

Kirill Malofeev, an IT industry expert, believes AI will first replace professions where tasks can be automated using algorithms. These include:

• Copywriters: Generative models like GPT-4 and its counterparts are already producing advertising, news, and SEO content, reducing demand for low-skilled writers.
• Artists and Designers: Tools like Midjourney and DALL·E generate images and layouts, competing with entry-level professionals in graphic design and illustration.
• Entry-level Programmers: AI tools like GitHub Copilot automate simple coding tasks, reducing the need for junior developers.

Malofeev emphasized that highly skilled specialists will remain in demand, as their unique expertise and creativity are still difficult to replicate. However, companies are expected to reduce headcount by replacing employees tasked with routine work with AI in order to cut costs.

"Layer by layer, companies will remove people — especially where there are many and where the payroll is high," the expert noted.

He estimates these transformations will become visible within 5–10 years, aligning with the pace of AI development and its integration into business processes.

Broader Context and Trends

Malofeev’s forecast aligns with global research. For instance, a 2023 report by McKinsey Global Institute projects that by 2030, up to 30% of current jobs in developed countries could be automated due to AI. In Russia, data from HeadHunter shows declining demand for entry-level copywriters and designers, driven by the availability of generative tools.

However, not everyone shares this pessimistic outlook. Some experts, such as Skolkovo analyst Ivan Petrov, argue that AI will also create new professions, such as neural network managers and AI ethicists, offsetting job losses.

Prospects and Challenges

AI-driven automation poses both risks and opportunities:

Risks:

• Job loss for low-skilled workers.
• Erosion of professional skills due to over-reliance on AI, as analyst Anatoly Wasserman warns.
• Growing inequality in the job market, favoring highly skilled professionals.

Opportunities:

• Emergence of new careers related to AI development, testing, and governance.
• Increased productivity in creative and technical fields by using AI as a tool.
• Access to retraining and upskilling via online platforms.

To mitigate risks, experts recommend workers develop skills that are difficult to automate — such as critical thinking, creativity, project management, and interdisciplinary knowledge.

Conclusion

AI is expected to significantly reshape the job market within 5–10 years, replacing low-skilled copywriters, artists, designers, and programmers, as predicted by Kirill Malofeev. These trends highlight the urgent need for adaptation: workers must invest in upskilling, and society should prepare for new professions born out of AI’s rise.