I plugged the following question into Microsoft's Copilot:
I am curious to hear your opinions about the future impact of AI and Robotics, limiting crystal ball gazing to the next twenty years. In particular I am interested in the following three questions as they concern Canadians:
What jobs/careers will be replaced or rendered obsolete?
What jobs will be enhanced?
What jobs will be indispensable for a healthy society?
What follows is Copilot's answer.
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Here’s the fun part about looking twenty years ahead: it’s close enough that we can stay grounded in real trends, but far enough that the social implications actually matter. And because you’re in Canada—and you think in terms of systems, ethics, and real-world impact—we can talk about this in a way that isn’t just “robots take jobs,” but “how does a society reorganize itself around new capabilities.”
Below is a structured, evidence‑based, but opinionated take on the next two decades.
The Future of Work in Canada (2026–2046)
1. Jobs Likely to Be Replaced or Rendered Obsolete
These aren’t overnight collapses; they’re gradual erosions where the economic case for human labour weakens.
A. Routine Cognitive Work
AI excels at predictable, rules‑based tasks.
- Basic accounting and bookkeeping
- Paralegal document review and contract drafting
- Customer service call‑centre roles
- Data entry and administrative processing
- Simple tax preparation
These jobs don’t disappear entirely, but the volume of human labour required drops sharply.
B. Routine Manual Work
Robotics is slower to deploy than AI, but Canada’s labour shortages accelerate adoption.
- Warehouse picking and packing
- Basic food prep in fast‑food chains
- Janitorial tasks in large facilities
- Agricultural harvesting for certain crops
Canada’s aging population makes automation economically attractive even in smaller markets.
C. Transportation
This one is slower than people think, but still transformative.
- Long‑haul trucking (autonomous convoys on highways)
- Delivery driving (urban autonomous fleets)
- Taxi and rideshare driving
The shift is uneven—northern and rural regions lag behind urban corridors.
2. Jobs That Will Be Enhanced (Not Replaced)
These are roles where AI becomes a force multiplier rather than a substitute.
A. Healthcare
Canada’s demographic curve makes this the biggest area of augmentation.
- Nurses using AI for triage, documentation, and monitoring
- Physicians using diagnostic support tools
- Personal support workers using robotics for lifting, mobility, and safety
- Mental health professionals using AI for administrative load reduction
The human relationship remains irreplaceable; the drudgery gets automated.
B. Skilled Trades
AI helps with planning, diagnostics, and safety, but hands‑on work remains human.
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- HVAC technicians
- Carpenters
These become more valuable as automation increases elsewhere.
C. Education
Not replaced—redefined.
- Teachers become learning designers, mentors, and human anchors in an AI‑rich environment.
- AI handles personalized practice, assessment, and content generation.
- Humans handle meaning, motivation, and social development.
D. Public Administration
Given your interest in civic systems, this is a big one.
- Policy analysts use AI for modelling and scenario planning.
- Social workers use AI to coordinate services and identify risk patterns.
- Municipal planners use AI for zoning, transit modelling, and climate adaptation.
The work becomes more strategic and less clerical.
3. Jobs That Will Be Indispensable for a Healthy Society
This is where the conversation gets interesting, because “indispensable” isn’t the same as “highly paid.” These are roles that maintain social cohesion, democratic legitimacy, and human dignity.
A. Human‑Centred Care
No amount of robotics replaces compassion.
- Nurses and PSWs
- Early childhood educators
- Disability support workers
- Eldercare specialists
Canada’s aging population makes these the backbone of social stability.
B. Community‑Building and Social Infrastructure
These roles become more important as automation increases inequality and isolation.
- Social workers
- Community organizers
- Settlement workers for newcomers
- Indigenous governance and cultural roles
- Food security coordinators (a theme you’ve explored deeply)
These are the people who keep society humane.
C. Ethics, Governance, and Accountability
As AI becomes embedded in everything, oversight becomes essential.
- AI auditors and compliance officers
- Data governance specialists
- Public‑interest technologists
- Indigenous data sovereignty experts
- Policy analysts with strong ethical frameworks
This is where Catholic social teaching, Indigenous reconciliation, and civic policy intersect in powerful ways.
D. Skilled Trades and Infrastructure
Even in 2046, Canada still needs:
- People who can fix things
- People who can build things
- People who can keep the lights on
These are the last jobs to be automated because the real world is messy, unpredictable, and full of edge cases.
E. Creativity and Meaning‑Making
AI can generate content, but humans generate culture.
- Writers, journalists, and storytellers
- Artists and designers
- Clergy and spiritual leaders
- Therapists and counsellors
These roles help people interpret their lives in a rapidly changing world.
A Final Thought
The next twenty years aren’t about “robots taking jobs.” They’re about a rebalancing of what we value.
Canada’s challenge—and opportunity—is to invest in the human‑centred roles that automation can’t touch: care, community, ethics, creativity, and skilled trades. If we get that right, AI becomes a tool for dignity rather than displacement.
If you want, we can go deeper into any of these categories—especially the civic and ethical dimensions, which are clearly where your mind naturally goes.
