Nobel Prize-Winning AI Expert Geoffrey Hinton Says Plumbing Is One of the Safest Jobs in an AI World

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve and transform the way we work, one of the world’s top AI experts suggests that plumbing could be one of the safest careers in the future.

Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “Godfather of AI” and a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, has recently warned that AI could replace many jobs, particularly those that involve thinking and computer-based work. In a podcast interview, Hinton said, “AI will get better than us at everything,” and added that many people could lose their jobs as a result.

However, he also said that some jobs will be harder for AI to take over. “It’s going to be a long time before AI is good at physical tasks. So being a plumber is a good bet,” he said in the interview. Hinton believes that jobs involving hands-on work, like plumbing, will remain safe for now because they require physical skills that machines can’t easily copy.

Hinton explained that jobs involving “intellectual labour,” like call center work or legal assistant jobs (paralegals), are most at risk. He said, “For simple thinking tasks, AI is just going to replace everybody.” This means people who work on computers doing repetitive or predictable tasks may be the first to feel the impact of AI.

He also shared his concerns about people feeling useless or lost if machines take over their jobs. Even if governments offer universal basic income (UBI), a system where everyone receives a payment regardless of whether they work or not… Hinton said many people might still feel unhappy without a job or purpose.

While some experts believe AI will work with humans instead of replacing them, Hinton warns that even this kind of support could become too efficient, reducing the need for human workers.

On a hopeful note, he said that people who are highly skilled in their professions will still have opportunities. In fields like healthcare, where the demand is always growing, humans are likely to continue playing a big role.

So, while AI may be changing the job world quickly, hands-on jobs like plumbing may offer a safer future, at least for now.