Microsoft Study Reveals Jobs Most at Risk from AI

Published: 14 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A new study by Microsoft has shed light on which jobs are most at risk of being affected—or even replaced—by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Drawing on data from more than 200,000 interactions with its Copilot generative AI chatbot, the tech giant has produced a comprehensive analysis of the occupations where AI integration is most applicable, as well as those that are likely to remain relatively unaffected.

According to the study, office-based roles, particularly those centred around sales, communication, and routine administrative tasks, are among the most vulnerable to automation. These are jobs where AI software, like Copilot, can already replicate or enhance the majority of tasks traditionally carried out by human workers. The analysis suggests that employees in these sectors may see their responsibilities significantly altered or reduced as AI tools become increasingly integrated into everyday business operations.

The methodology used by Microsoft was both extensive and detailed. The company examined how often Copilot users performed activities that corresponded to the tasks typical of particular job roles. It then assessed how effective the AI was at completing these activities. By mapping the frequency and success rate of AI-assisted tasks to specific professions, the researchers were able to quantify an “AI overlap,” which highlights the occupations most exposed to automation.

Sales and customer service roles, for instance, demonstrated a high degree of AI overlap. Tasks such as drafting emails, generating client reports, handling routine inquiries, and managing scheduling could already be effectively performed by Copilot. In these sectors, the AI’s efficiency, speed, and ability to handle repetitive tasks could reduce the need for human intervention, reshaping the nature of work itself. While AI is unlikely to replace the need for human empathy and complex decision-making entirely, it may significantly reduce the volume of routine tasks that these roles require.

Communication-focused roles were also highlighted in Microsoft’s findings. Jobs involving repetitive drafting of content, data summarisation, or the preparation of standardised reports showed high potential for AI automation. For example, corporate communications teams often spend hours preparing and proofreading updates or presentations. Copilot and similar tools are capable of generating high-quality drafts in seconds, suggesting that AI could dramatically reduce the time required for these routine duties.

However, the study also emphasises that not all jobs are equally at risk. Positions that require high levels of creative thinking, emotional intelligence, hands-on problem solving, or manual dexterity remain much less susceptible to AI disruption. Professions such as healthcare, skilled trades, engineering, and complex project management show relatively low overlap with AI capabilities. In these sectors, human expertise, intuition, and adaptability remain crucial, and AI tools are more likely to serve as assistants rather than replacements.

The findings of the Microsoft study also underline the growing importance of upskilling and adaptability in the workforce. Workers in roles with a high AI overlap may need to develop new skills to stay competitive. Rather than replacing humans entirely, AI is expected to reshape job descriptions, allowing employees to focus on tasks that require creativity, interpersonal engagement, and critical decision-making, while routine or repetitive work is handled by machines. This shift represents both an opportunity and a challenge for workers and employers alike.

Experts note that AI adoption in the workplace is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. With generative AI tools like Copilot now capable of drafting complex documents, analysing data, and even generating code, organisations across multiple sectors are beginning to integrate these tools into daily operations. This can increase efficiency and productivity, but it also raises questions about job security, labour market dynamics, and the potential for inequality between workers who can adapt to AI-enhanced workflows and those whose roles are more easily automated.

Microsoft’s study also explored how AI performs in specialised and knowledge-intensive tasks. While AI tools excel at repetitive, formulaic work, their ability to navigate nuanced or context-dependent scenarios remains limited. For example, while Copilot can generate first drafts of marketing copy or technical reports, it cannot fully replicate the judgement calls or strategic planning often required by senior professionals. As a result, roles that combine expertise with human intuition are likely to remain resilient, even in the face of rapid AI advancement.

The study’s release has already sparked discussions across industries and governments about how to prepare for the changing workforce. Policy makers are being urged to consider how educational systems, vocational training, and professional development programs can equip current and future workers with the skills necessary to thrive alongside AI. There is also growing recognition that employers must design workplace strategies that integrate AI responsibly, ensuring that human workers continue to add value and are not marginalised by automation.

Microsoft’s research provides concrete examples of how AI is reshaping daily work. In office administration, for example, Copilot can automate scheduling, draft letters, summarise long documents, and respond to standardised queries. In sales, AI can generate personalised client communications, analyse sales patterns, and even propose strategies for follow-up outreach. Each of these capabilities reduces the time humans spend on routine tasks, enabling employees to concentrate on more strategic or creative responsibilities.

At the same time, the study stresses that AI is not a perfect substitute for human labour. Limitations remain in areas requiring contextual understanding, emotional intelligence, and ethical judgment. The researchers highlight that AI’s efficiency in performing specific tasks does not equate to the ability to fully replace a human worker. Instead, AI should be seen as a tool to enhance human productivity, reduce repetitive workloads, and create space for employees to focus on high-value activities.

Microsoft’s report is likely to influence both corporate planning and government policy. Companies are being encouraged to adopt AI in a way that complements human labour rather than simply displacing it. Similarly, governments may need to review labour laws, social safety nets, and workforce training programmes to accommodate the evolving role of AI in the workplace. Ensuring that employees are adequately supported during this transition is critical to avoiding widespread displacement and economic disruption.

In conclusion, the Microsoft study provides a detailed roadmap of which occupations are most exposed to AI automation and which are likely to remain resilient. Office-based roles, particularly in sales, administration, and communication, are the most susceptible, while skilled trades, healthcare, and creative professions remain less affected. The findings underscore the need for workers, employers, and policymakers to anticipate and adapt to a rapidly changing employment landscape, ensuring that AI acts as a complement to human talent rather than a threat.

As AI continues to evolve, understanding its impact on the workforce is essential. By identifying high-risk occupations and encouraging reskilling, the study offers both a warning and an opportunity: while some traditional jobs may shrink, new opportunities will emerge for workers able to harness AI’s potential to enhance productivity, innovation, and economic growth.