There has been a lot of talk lately about the future of jobs and which ones are at risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI). A new study done by Ubie Health looks at that very topic and it could be one of the factors that figure into your post-military career decision.
AI continues to evolve at a rapid pace, reshaping industries, workflows, and expectations. From instant content generation to predictive analytics, AI is becoming woven into everyday business operations. Yet that growth brings an unavoidable question to the forefront: Which jobs will thrive because of AI … and which ones are most protected from being replaced by it?
A new study by Ubie Health offers valuable insight into those two questions. By analyzing each occupation’s level of public interaction and its likelihood of automation, researchers produced an “AI resistance score” that ranks roles from most to least resilient. What the results show is clear: Human-centered work still matters and it shows no signs of becoming obsolete.
Why Human Interaction Is the Hidden Shield Against Automation
While AI excels at pattern recognition, information retrieval, and repetitive tasks, it struggles with the very qualities that make people uniquely capable: empathy, communication, relationship-building, and moral judgment. Occupations that demand these traits consistently rise to the top of AI-resistant lists.
And Ubie Health’s analysis reflects this reality. Roles with high levels of public interaction – ones often involving emotion, trust, negotiation, and nuance – were the toughest for AI to replace. When a job depends on reading the room, interpreting tone, building relationships, or making ethical decisions, AI remains limited.
This public interaction theme appears throughout the top 10 occupations.
1. Lawyers
Lawyers rank number one with the highest possible AI resistance score of 100. The law is grounded in interpretation of language, precedent, and human intent. AI can summarize cases or organize documents, but it can’t argue in court, negotiate a settlement, or weigh moral implications. With 100% public interaction and only a 26% automation risk, legal work remains highly human-driven.
2. Healthcare Managers
Ranking second, medical and health services managers score 93.45. Healthcare is one of the most human professions in existence. Even as AI supports diagnostics and logistics, nothing can replace the compassion, communication, and decision-making required from leaders in medical settings. With nearly 90% public interaction, these managers ensure care stays personal, not mechanical.
3. Human Resources Managers
AI may speed up administrative tasks, but HR is fundamentally about people. Human resources managers earned a strong score of 87.17, and for good reason. From resolving conflicts to improving workplace culture, HR requires emotional intelligence and discretion – all qualities that technology simply can’t replicate.
4. General and Operations Managers
With a score of 75.7, general and operations managers bridge strategy, logistics, and leadership. They deal with people daily: employees, customers, vendors … and make judgment calls shaped by real-time situations. AI can provide data, but managers must interpret and apply it in human context.
5. First-Line Supervisors
First-line supervisors score of 64.15, reflects the irreplaceable human presence needed to guide teams. Supervisors motivate employees, solve interpersonal issues, and reinforce company culture. Even if AI automates tasks, leadership remains an inherently human function.
6. Training and Development Specialists
Training specialists hold a score of 61.6. While AI can generate course content or quizzes, it can’t fully replace the human element of teaching, motivating, or coaching. Learning is an emotional experience as much as a cognitive one and humans respond best to other humans.
7. Architectural and Engineering Managers
With the lowest automation risk (25%) among the top 10, these managers still earned a solid score of 55.5. Even though their public interaction percentage is lower, their work blends creativity, technical expertise, collaboration, and leadership which are all areas where AI is more of a tool than a replacement.
8. Compliance Officers
Compliance officers scored 55.41, despite a higher automation risk of 50%. While AI can analyze documents and flag risks, human professionals provide context, nuance, and ethical judgment. Regulators, auditors, and stakeholders still depend on human reasoning for final decisions.
9. Industrial Production Managers
With a score of 48.68, these managers operate at the intersection of manufacturing efficiency and human coordination. The job requires constant communication, troubleshooting, and decision-making. AI can support in these areas but not lead.
10. Graphic Designers
Despite AI’s fast-growing design capabilities, graphic designers still scored 48.59. The art of design isn’t just about creating an image; it’s about understanding clients, interpreting brand stories, and applying taste and emotion. AI can assist with inspiration, but human creativity and communication remain central.
What This Means for Workers Today
As AI continues to expand its reach across industries, the future of work won’t be defined by machines replacing people, but by how well humans and technology work together. The occupations most likely to endure are the ones rooted in judgment, connection, and the nuances of human experience.
For anyone planning a career move, whether entering the workforce for the first time or transitioning from military service, this research is a reminder that the qualities you’ve built through real-world interaction remain among your greatest strengths. The path forward isn’t about competing with AI, but about using it to help develop the human-centered skills that technology can’t replicate.
