10 Shocking Jobs That Will Be Performed By Robots In 2020

We predict that by 2020, a large number of jobs now performed by humans will be taken over by robots, and they won’t just be menial jobs. Jobs that require high levels of education will be just as vulnerable. At the same time, these robots may make our lives easier and safer. They complete tasks with less mistakes and more efficiently. So what do you think? Do you think we can work side by side with robots?

1. Photographers

During the 2012 London Olympics, Getty Images, the official photographers, will be using robots to capture photographs. They will be placed in areas where it would be difficult for a human to be and will swivel 360 degrees to take aerial pictures. While these cameras don’t think independently yet, we predict that by 2020 robots will be taking all of our photos without any help from human photographers.

2. Drivers

Cab drivers and personal drivers will need to find a new profession by 2020. Based on Google’s progress with their driverless car, it won’t be long before people simply don’t need to drive. And that may be a good thing. It is predicted that they will reduce the number of traffic-related injuries and deaths while being more efficient in their use of energy and space. In Nevada, some of these cars are already on the streets.

3. Waiters

By 2020, your waiter will never get your order wrong and you won’t have to worry about the chef washing his hands. A restaurant in China is already employing an entirely robot staff, and we predict that it won’t be long before all restaurants are doing the same. So how do you feel about being addressed as “Earth Person?”

4. Bellhops

Soon there will be no need for bellhops to carry your heavy luggage because you’ll have a robot bringing your bags to your room. At the Yotel Hotel in New York, they are already using a robot to move guests’ luggage. Of course, these robots do lack the personal touch that bellhops give to your hotel experience. On the other hand, you don't have to tip!

5. Astronauts

As of right now, Robonauts (the robot astronaut developed by NASA and General Motors) are only performing menial tasks, such as cleaning the space station. However by 2020 who knows what these robots will be able to do? With an array of sensors and five fingered hands, they may be replacing us in space.

6. Pharmacists

Do you trust a robot to dole out your medications for you? By 2020, we predict there will not be a need for human pharmacists, and based on the success of UCSF Medical Center Robotic Pharmacy, we’ll be just fine. They have been using robots to count and process prescriptions, and so far it is working wonderfully.

7. Soldiers

Military and first responders may soon be replaced by robots such as the MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System), which has a GPS monitor, can fire, can differentiate between fire and no-fire zones, can open doors, and can drag out injured bodies. While they still have human controllers behind the scenes, by 2020 we may be looking at robotic soldiers that can go in with no human interference.

8. Teachers

Kids might love the idea of a robot teacher because they can doodle or doze, but the future of robot teachers is mind-reading. Well not quite mind-reading, but new robots are being programmed to detect when students are distracted or falling asleep, and then altering their teaching to reengage the student. While our classrooms are still full of human teachers now, by 2020 we might be calling our teachers Mr. or Ms. Humanoid.

9. Lifeguards

Can you imagine being caught in a rip tide and having a robot speed out to save you? In California, this idea is already being tested. EMILY (Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard) is a robot that can speed across water at 40 miles per hour to conscious swimmers that need help and be used as a flotation device for up to six people until a human lifeguard arrives. While EMILY isn’t as attractive as a human lifeguard, she moves six times faster. She’s still in the testing stage, but by 2020 we imagine all our beaches will be patrolled by robots.

10. Lawyers and Paralegals

A robot replacing a lawyer? Sounds unlikely, but hiring lawyers and paralegals can be incredibly expensive, so if people could hire a robot to do the work for cheaper instead, they just may. Soon you might be able to use Blackstone Discovery’s software, which can analyze 1.5 million documents for under $100,000. Instead of people reading through hundreds of pages, a computer can do it without getting tired or needing a break.