By 2030, up to 800 million jobs could be displaced by automation globally.
Factors making cities vulnerable include industry concentration, occupational mix, demographics, and economic diversity.
Among the most vulnerable cities are Las Vegas, Miami, and Louisville, Kentucky.
Adaptation strategies include upskilling, reskilling, and career transitioning.
Cities are responding with initiatives like TechSF, Future of Work, and Detroit at Work.
Individuals can leverage platforms like Unmudl for targeted training and job connections.
Discover the US cities most vulnerable to AI and automation job losses. Learn strategies to adapt to this changing landscape.
The robots are coming! Or, rather, they're already here – quietly infiltrating workplaces, automating tasks, and reshaping the future of employment. But while this technological revolution promises increased efficiency and productivity, it raises concerns about job displacement and economic upheaval. A McKinsey Global Institute report estimates that up to 800 million jobs around the world could be displaced by automation by 2030.
The question on everyone's mind: which cities are most vulnerable?
The answer isn't straightforward.
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The impact of AI and automation willvary significantly depending on each city's economic landscape, industry makeup, and workforce demographics. Some cities are already feeling a seismic shift, while others remain relatively unscathed so far.
Individuals and communities must identify the cities most susceptible to job displacement. These insights will help them proactively address new challenges, prepare for the future, and empower them to thrive in the era of AI and automation.
Let’s get deeper into the research, analyze the data, and uncover the cities most likely to be affected by AI and automation-related job losses. We’ll explore what makes these cities vulnerable and how you can navigate this tumultuous time.
What Makes Cities and Jobs Vulnerable?
The impact of AI and automation isn't uniform across the US or the world. Understanding the factors that make job replacement or loss more likely will help you decide the next steps for your career.
1. Industry Concentration
Think of a city like Detroit, which is historically a manufacturing powerhouse. It relies on an industry facing a higher risk of job replacement due to robots and automated systems.
According to the WEF’s Future of Jobs report, 80% to 90% of advanced manufacturing businesses plan to accelerate automation.
As automation technologies such as robotics and AI become more advanced, the likelihood of job displacement in manufacturing cities increases.
At the same time, however, automation also frees manufacturing workers from risky, manual labor and increases the numberof more complex, value-creating jobs.
Vacom, a leading German manufacturer, had such an experience with AI. After adopting industrial AI, the company no longer had to worry about the day-to-day schedule, and workers were better suited to focus on more important tasks.
2. Occupational Mix
Beyond the industry itself, the types of jobs within that industry matter a lot.
A Goldman Sachs report found that two-thirds of current jobsare exposed to some degree of AI automation and that generative AI could substitute up to one-fourth of current work. Jobs heavy on routine tasks, like data entry or assembly line work, are ripe for automation.
Generative AI, unlike traditional automation, might pose less of a threat to agriculture, mining, and manufacturing jobs. It will have a much larger impact on other professions, like coding, market research, and graphic design, among others.
According to McKinsey, the biggest future job losses are actually expected in office support, customer service, and food services.
Cities with a high percentage of these occupations are likely to see significant job losses and occupational shifts.
3. Demographics
Older workers and those with lower levels of education are more vulnerable to job displacement, as they might find it challenging to transition to new roles and gain the skills needed for emerging jobs.
In his book ‘Shifting Paradigms: Growth, Finance, Jobs, and Inequality in the Digital Economy,’ economist Harry J Holzer suggests that disadvantaged workers will need more support to upskill, retrain, and re-educate themselves.
Cities with a larger population of such demographics face a steeper uphill battle against the impacts of AI and automation.
4. Economic Diversity, Adaptability, and Innovation
Cities with diverse economies are like sturdy trees with deep roots. If one industry falters, others can pick up the slack.
However, cities heavily reliant on a single industry, such as tourism or manufacturing, are more susceptible to economic shocks when automation hits their dominant sector.
Beyond diversity, a city's ability to adapt and innovate may help it enter a new economic boom. History is full of cities that rose to the challenge of changing times and repositioned themselves.
For example, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was once a steel-making giant. As the industry declined, it pushed into new sectors and reinvented itself. Over time, the economy’s move to digital technology helped make it an innovation hub.
In short, those investing in education, workforce development, and attracting new industries are better positioned to ride the AI wave.
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How Do We Assess Which Cities Are the Most Vulnerable?
A clear methodology is crucial for determining which specific cities will likely be affected by AI and automation-replaced jobs.
The Future of Jobs report found that the following jobs would have the greatest net decline from 2023 to 2027:
Bank Tellers and Related Clerks
Postal Service Clerks
Cashiers and Ticket Clerks
Data Entry Clerks
Administrative and Executive Secretaries
Material-Recording and Stock-Keeping Clerks
Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Clerks
Home Appliance Installers and Repairers
Legislators and Officials
Statistical, Finance, and Insurance Clerks
Another assessment of job vulnerability by digital marketing agency (un)Common Logic distinguishes between jobs with high AI exposure and jobs with high probabilities of computerization.
These high-AI-exposure, low-automation-risk professions comprise 16% of the US workforce.
Even with these assessments, it’s important to remember that accurately predicting technological advancements is tricky. Rapid and unforeseen changes might completely alter these estimations as we go forward.
Cities Most Vulnerable to AI & Automation Job Replacement
Let’s explore the top ten major metropolitan areas where jobs are the most susceptible to AI and automation, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
1. Las Vegas, Nevada
At-Risk Jobs: 161,840 (15.80%)
Las Vegas is particularly vulnerable to AI and automation due to its reliance on the hospitality and entertainment sectors.
Roles such as cashiers, ticket clerks, and administrative clerks face a high risk of automation. The widespread adoption of self-service kiosks and automated customer service systems in casinos and hotels exacerbates this risk.
In the coming years, we may even see the popularization of bartending robots! Tipsy Robot, a bar inside Planet Hollywood, is currently tended by robot servers, and many MGM Resorts have been testing automated cocktail machines in its casinos.
John Restrepo, principal at RCG Economics in Las Vegas, says, “Wherever the resort industry can replace their workers and not affect productivity, profits or the customer experience — wherever they can do that with artificial intelligence... they will."
2. Miami, Florida
At-Risk Jobs: 393,920 (15.01%)
Recent data shows that 3 of Florida’s 10 most popular jobs have a high risk of being replaced by AI: Office Clerks, General (3rd), Fast Food and Counter Workers (6th), and Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers (10th).
Miami's economy, heavily dependent on real estate and construction, among other sectors, faces severe job risk from automation.
The increasing use of AI-driven customer service and data management solutions also heightens the risk for positions like bank tellers, data entry clerks, and administrative clerks.
The city’s significant tourism industry, too, relies on easily automated roles, such as cashiers and ticket clerks, which adds to the city's susceptibility.
3. Louisville, Kentucky
At-Risk Jobs: 96,420 (14.99%)
Automation may significantly impact Louisville due to its strong manufacturing, logistics, and food sectors.
Local manufacturers are increasingly adopting automation technologies to enhance efficiency, threatening jobs like material recording and stock-keeping clerks.
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers are another high-risk job category – which is even more worrisome given the fact that they’re listed as the most common job in the area.
Louisville's economic concentration in this industry makes the city particularly vulnerable to job displacement.
However, some popular jobs in the area are almost immune to AI replacement. These include registered nurses, elementary school teachers, electricians, and first-line supervisors of construction trades workers.
4. Orlando, Florida
At-Risk Jobs: 190,000 (14.64%)
Orlando's heavy reliance on the tourism and hospitality industry puts many of its jobs at risk.
The city's economy depends on roles such as cashiers, ticket clerks, and administrative clerks, all susceptible to automation.
The integration of automated check-ins, customer service robots, and AI-driven management systems in hotels and theme parks further exacerbates this vulnerability.
The city hosts 1,540 logistics companies, making logistics and distribution another important industry in Orlando.
While industrial robots are already used inside warehouses to decrease human error and time consumption, AI-assisted robots could be a game-changer as they can perform more complicated tasks.
For example, an AI-powered, vision-based robot could analyze cargo for damages and suggest the best course of action to solve the issue.
5. Grand Rapids, Michigan
At-Risk Jobs: 79,910 (14.54%)
Grand Rapids faces job replacement risks, largely due to its over-reliance on the manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
Known as a major manufacturing center in the Midwest, jobs in Grand Rapids are more susceptible to being replaced by automation rather than AI. The nature of these jobs makes them particularly resilient to generative AI, which has drummed up fears in other sectors.
Local businesses have to invest in automation to maintain their competitiveness, which inevitably contributes to job displacement. This puts jobs such as data entry and bookkeeping particularly at risk.
In CBRE's 2023 Scoring Tech Talent report, Grand Rapids ranked 7th among 75 up-and-coming U.S. and Canadian markets for its capacity to attract and nurture tech talent. Over the past 5 years, the region has experienced 28% growth in its total tech workforce, accompanied by a 20% increase in tech wages.
However, this growth may be curtailed due to high exposure to AI and future advancements in the field.
High-tech digital services, such as software publishing, had low susceptibility to automation but may be significantly impacted by AI tools and applications.
6. San Antonio, Texas
At-Risk Jobs: 149,860 (14.29%)
San Antonio has a strong presence in the technology, military, aerospace, and healthcare sectors. These sectors include many automatable roles, such as administrative and executive secretaries and data entry clerks.
Larger employers will naturally adopt AI technologies to streamline operations. Unfortunately, much of the AI-related displacement will affect the city’s low-skilled and low-wage workers, who might need to upskill or change careers.
Boeing invested $2.3 million to prepare San Antonio children for STEM careers.
Last year, the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Texas Health Science Center began offering a five-year dual-degree program in medicine and AI.
Selected Economic Characteristics for Phoenix, Arizona
Management, business, science, and arts occupations.
Service occupations.
Sales and office occupations.
Many of these sectors are particularly susceptible to automation.
Within the services sector, jobs with low-level customer interaction, such as travel booking, cashiers, and food service workers, are the most susceptible to automation. For businesses and offices, their data-keeping jobs, such as record clerks and office assistants, are more easily replaceable.
The AI-based replaceability of customer service, a key supporting feature for business and sales operations, is a more contentious topic.
AI chatbots are becoming overwhelmingly popular. According to HubSpot’s 2024 State of Service report, 77% of CRM leaders believe AI will handle most ticket resolutions by 2025. However, many customer support specialists view AI as an aid rather than a replacement.
According to the report, “AI doesn’t replace human staff—instead, it empowers them to handle more complex tasks” in most cases.
8. Salt Lake City, Utah
At-Risk Jobs: 109,500 (14.03%)
Salt Lake City has a diverse economy. Its major employment is in trade, transportation, professional and business services, and government.
By size, retail salespeople, cashiers, and customer service representatives in this area are the jobs most vulnerable to AI and automation replacement. Other vulnerable jobs include administrative and clerical positions.
On the other hand, AI-related job postings have been increasing in the Salt Lake metro area, suggesting alternative opportunities. Roles in data analysis, science, machine learning, and cybersecurity are poised to grow considerably over the next 5 years.
It’s important for displaced workers to retrain and find new jobs, especially because workers whose jobs are most automatable have often received the least job training.
9. Detroit, Michigan
At-Risk Jobs: 261,650 (14.02%)
Detroit's reliance on the automotive industry, which is rapidly embracing automation, is a large contributor to job vulnerability in the area.
The extensive use of robotics and the city's historical economic dependence on manufacturing further add to potential job displacement.
However, the transition to robots isn’t as smooth and straightforward as some might think.
According to co-leaders at MIT’s Work of the Future initiative, automation technologies that aim to maximize productivity tend to limit flexibility. Additionally, the costs of making an automated system do something new are frequently much higher than those of a team of human workers.
The bottom line? Many manufacturing tasks are still likely to be automated, but skilled mechatronics technicians will always be needed to fix or program robots.
10. Nashville, Tennessee
At-Risk Jobs: 145,170 (14.00%)
Similar to many of the cities on this list, Nashville's economy is driven by a mix of trade, transportation, utilities, professional and business services, education, and healthcare.
The adoption of AI technologies by local industries to increase productivity could displace many workers across these sectors.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, groups with the highest employment in the Nashville area include office and administrative support (14.1%), transportation and material moving (11.4%), and food preparation and serving related (9.1%). These occupations are all at high risk of AI and automation replacement.
An Alternative Analysis
As mentioned earlier, there are multiple frameworks that can be used to analyze which cities are the most vulnerable to AI-driven job changes.
Automation has been changing industries for decades. Just as cities adapted then, they’re adapting now to this new wave of AI and AI-powered automation in diverse ways.
Many targeted initiatives are helping create jobs and upskill workers.
San Francisco - TechSF
TechSF is a workforce initiative in San Francisco that provides training and job placement services for residents in tech-related fields.
This program aims to create a more inclusive and equitable technology sector by partnering with local tech companies to offer apprenticeships, boot camps, and on-the-job training.
The initiative has helped diversify the city’s tech workforce and helped workers develop the skills required in an AI-driven economy.
Louisville - Future of Work
Louisville’s Future of Work Initiative aims to grow economic opportunity and equity in the area. At a time of drastic job displacement, it is positioning Louisville as a regional hub and center for excellence in AI, the Internet of Things, and data science.
Through partnerships with Microsoft, local businesses, and community organizations, the Louisville Future of Work Initiative provides access to essential digital skills training to unlock new career opportunities.
Detroit - Detroit at Work
As mentioned earlier, Detroit is a leading city susceptible to job replacement by AI and automation. To combat this, it launched Detroit at Work, a city-wide initiative to fund various workforce training programs.
It focuses on long-term employment opportunities for residents, mutually beneficial partnerships for employers and employees, and talent pipelines of real-world skills.
Strategies for Adaptation and Resilience
While the prospect of job displacement due to AI and automation can be daunting, it's important to remember that change also brings opportunities.
A World Economic Forum report indicates that while 14 million net jobs may be lost by 2027, 69 million jobs will still be created, underscoring why embracing change is the key to the age of AI.
Let’s explore practical steps and interventions that can help you adapt to the evolving job market.
Individual Level
As an individual, there are many avenues to boost your career.
Upskilling and Reskilling
As AI and automation continue to transform various industries, upskilling and reskilling become crucial for workers to remain relevant.
Upskilling refers to enhancing current skills, while reskilling involves learning new skills for different roles.
According to the World Economic Forum, six in 10 workers will require training before 2027, but only half currently have access to adequate training opportunities.
Career transitioning is another vital strategy for individuals facing job displacement due to automation.
You can move from declining industries to growing sectors that require new skill sets.
For example, workers in administrative roles, which are highly susceptible to automation, can transition into technology or healthcare sectors, which are expected to experience job growth.
A McKinsey report suggests that generative AI could take over tasks accounting for 29.5% of hours worked in the US economy by 2030.
Understanding which tasks are likely to be automated will help both upskill and transition to the right roles.
Unmudl's Role
Unmudl offers a variety of courses and programs designed to help individuals upskill and reskill for the jobs of the future.
For example, our Mechatronics Technician Career Pathway provides a comprehensive foundation in robotics, automation, and control systems, equipping learners with the skills needed in industries experiencing rapid technological change.
Community and Policy Level
Several interventions at the community and policy levels can enhance workforce resilience and support economic stability in the face of AI and automation.
Workforce Development Initiatives
Workforce development initiatives are essential for preparing communities for the future job market.
These initiatives can include partnerships between local governments, educational institutions, and private companies to create training programs aligned with industry needs.
Collaborations can help equip workers with relevant skills and have access to continuous learning opportunities.
Job Creation Strategies
Job creation strategies are crucial for mitigating the impact of automation on employment at the city, state, and federal levels.
This can involve investing in emerging industries such as renewable energy, technology, and healthcare, which are expected to generate new jobs.
Policies encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses will stimulate job growth and economic diversification, reducing reliance on vulnerable sectors.
Strengthening social safety nets is vital for supporting such workers.
Policies such as unemployment benefits, retraining subsidies, and job placement services can provide a safety cushion for affected individuals.
These policies enable them to acquire new skills and find new employment opportunities without severe financial hardship, ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition.
Making these support systems robust and accessible is the only way to achieve community resilience and economic stability.
Navigating the AI and Automation Revolution
Change is a constant in life, and the rise of AI and automation is a testament to this. It’s worth remembering, however, that change is not the enemy – complacency is.
While the prospect of job displacement can be unsettling, there is no denying that technological advancements have always reshaped the workforce. The key is to adapt to new realities and seize the opportunities that emerge.
As we've seen, cities like Las Vegas, Miami, and Detroit, with their heavy reliance on automatable industries, face significant challenges. Even in these cities, however, opportunities for growth and innovation exist.
As an individual, a combination of lifelong learning, exploring new career paths, and leveraging platforms like Unmudl can help you take control of your future.
Unmudl: Your Partner in Navigating the Future of Work
We understand the anxieties surrounding automation and the urgency to equip individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age.
Our platform is specifically designed to bridge the gap between today's workforce and tomorrow's jobs.
Here's how Unmudl can empower you to navigate the AI revolution.
Targeted Training for In-Demand Skills:
Unmudl offers diverse courses that align with the skills needed in emerging industries. Whether you're interested in robotics, data science, cybersecurity, or renewable energy, we have programs designed to equip you with the knowledge and expertise employers seek.
Job-Focused Curriculum
Unlike traditional education, Unmudl's courses are specifically designed to prepare you for real-world jobs. We collaborate with industry partners to ensure our curriculum is up-to-date and relevant to the latest trends and technologies.
Flexible Learning Options
We understand that learning needs to fit into your life, not the other way around.
That's why our courses are online and self-paced. They allow you to learn at your own convenience, whether you're working full-time, raising a family, or pursuing other commitments.
Employer Connections
Unmudl's Skills-to-Jobs Marketplace®connects learners directly with employers seeking skilled talent. We also partner with major companies like Amazon, offering specialized training programs that lead to direct job opportunities.
By taking proactive steps to upskill, reskill, and adapt to new technologies, you can position yourself for success, even when so many cities are vulnerable to job replacements by AI and automation.
Start your journey with Unmudl today and embrace the future of work.
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