Artificial intelligence isn't destroying jobs, it's reshaping them.

With advancing technology and the ever-expanding role of artificial intelligence in our lives, discussions continue about whether certain professions will disappear in the future. According to some experts, white-collar jobs, professions such as law and accounting, will be significantly affected. Dr. Şenol Pişkin, a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at İstinye University, stated that artificial intelligence will not eliminate professions, but transform them. Sharing his views on the potential impacts of robots and artificial intelligence on professions, Pişkin said, “Technological transformation is presenting us with groundbreaking new career paths. Soon, we will frequently see titles such as 'Robot Interaction Designer,' 'Digital Twin Engineer,' or 'Artificial Intelligence Ethics Auditor' on business cards.”

"Mass production lines and warehouse logistics operations will be greatly affected."

When asked which professions would be most likely to be eliminated by robots and artificial intelligence, Professor Dr. Pişkin gave the following answer:

It would be more accurate to use the concept of "transforming" rather than "destroying." History shows us that technology evolves jobs rather than eliminates them. For example, the automation of weaving looms in the 19th century changed the jobs of many hand weavers, but it also expanded the textile industry, creating new job areas such as maintenance, design, and machine operation. We are experiencing a similar transformation today. Automation and artificial intelligence prioritize jobs that are inherently repetitive, have measurable outputs, and require precise rules. In this context, mass production lines and packaging and warehouse logistics operations will be heavily impacted in the first wave. In addition, standard reporting processes, data entry, accounting tasks within certain rules, and the highly repetitive aspects of customer service will also be affected. This includes automated responses to frequently asked questions, etc.

"The human touch is still very important in problem-solving and crisis management."

"The main problems in the field of employment will be in the form of skills mismatch, regional or sectoral inequalities, short-term job losses, and the social and economic tensions that accompany them," said Prof. Dr. Pişkin, and continued as follows:

“In the future, the need for humans will be shaped more by the nature of the task. Repetitive, standardized, or measurable tasks, such as specific quality control tests, fixed production steps, or standard reporting, can be undertaken by robots. However, tasks like complex clinical decisions and patient-doctor communication are contextual and require empathy. Ethical assessments, creative design processes, leadership, flexible problem-solving in unpredictable situations, and crisis management still require a human touch. Even if robots achieve very high capacities in areas such as delicate manipulation and heavy lifting, this is still an ‘almost complete’ takeover. The final decision regarding a system's safety, ethical, and contextually accurate nature will remain the responsibility of the human expert.”

"Part of the fear of unemployment is realistic."

Speaking about the fear of unemployment that automation will create in society, Pişkin said the following:

“This fear is not new. In 19th-century England, the Luddite movement consisted of workers who attacked weaving machines out of fear that they would steal their jobs. The fear was understandable, but the reality was that machines brought prosperity and new industries in the long run. Today, the fear is also understandable, but that's not the only reality. Historically, every major technological revolution has led to changes in the nature of jobs rather than net job losses. Part of the fear of unemployment is realistic, as technological transformations may reduce certain jobs; this process may disproportionately affect some groups. But historically, new technological waves have similarly created new sectors, professions, and economic opportunities. The critical thing here is managing the transition process: if government policies, educational institutions, and the business world work together to expand reskilling and competency enhancement programs, the 'fear of unemployment' will manifest itself more in the form of job transformation and repositioning. Otherwise, structural unemployment may increase in the short-to-medium term. Income inequality and social insecurity may also increase in the short-to-medium term, which is the real risk. With the right policies (retraining, social protection networks) and a culture focused on individual learning, this..." The transition is manageable."

"The risk is that a segment of society will be completely 'out of the game'."

Speaking about the risks, the Professor said, “If the right steps are not taken, the greatest danger awaiting us is that a segment of society will be completely 'out of the game,' that is, a deep economic and social exclusion. In other words, social polarization and economic inequality will reach historical levels. Furthermore, other critical risks include the reinforcement of prejudices, violation of privacy, and use as a tool for manipulation by artificial intelligence systems that develop uncontrollably without establishing an ethical and regulatory infrastructure. The way to manage these risks is not by banning technology, but by transforming education, creating inclusive social policies, and establishing ethical rules from the outset.” 

"We're talking about flexible robots that are not just 'doing' but more 'gentle'."

Pişkin, who also discussed the most critical technical developments in robotics in recent years, said the following:

“Technology is advancing at a dizzying pace. We are no longer just talking about robots that 'do,' but also 'see' thanks to deep learning, 'understand' natural language, and interact more 'gently' with their environment thanks to soft robotics designs. The decrease in cost and precision of sensors and Lidar technologies has given robots virtually new senses. This is a journey that has evolved from brute force in factories historically, to the intelligence that beats humans in chess, and to the precision that performs surgical operations today. To give a few more examples of critical developments:

• Humanoid and Bionic Robots: Extraordinary advancements in balance, gait, and object manipulation.
• Cloud Robotics and Swarm Intelligence: Robots working in a coordinated manner by sharing data with each other and with a central system.
• Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) and Neuro-Robotics: Advances in controlling robots through thought.
• Enhanced Perception and Computer Vision: Increased multisensory (sensor fusion) and contextual understanding capabilities.

However, just because a robot can technically 'do something' doesn't mean we can immediately integrate it into our lives; safety and ethics are still our red lines.

New professions will emerge.

Speaking about the new professions that may emerge with this transformation, Pişkin listed the following:

“Technological transformation is opening up groundbreaking career paths. Soon, we will frequently see titles like 'Robot Interaction Designer,' 'Digital Twin Engineer,' or 'AI Ethics Auditor' on business cards. Fields such as medical robotics expertise and data privacy law have already become critical. Just as every wave of technology in history has produced its own 'masters,' this era will also bring forth its own experts. Other possible professions include: Robotics/AI Ethics Specialist, Augmented Reality Experience Designer, Human-Robot Team Manager, Personalized Learning Roadmap Consultant (AI-powered), Cyber-Physical Systems Maintenance Technician, Data Detective (to ensure transparency in AI decisions).”

"AI will take the routine and elevate the quality."

Prof. Dr. Pişkin also provided information on how the labor market in Türkiye will be affected by the consequences of artificial intelligence.

“The impact of this process on Turkey depends on how quickly we adapt. Our manufacturing industry can become 'smarter' through automation and move up a class in global competition; however, if we cannot manage this transition well, there is also the risk of regional divides deepening. In the service sector, artificial intelligence will take over routine and improve quality. Due to its population structure and industrial composition, Turkey will experience both risks and opportunities from this transformation simultaneously. Historically, our industrialization efforts have created a strong infrastructure in certain sectors. Now we have the opportunity to crown this infrastructure with 'Smart Manufacturing'. Automation may increase in traditional manufacturing and agriculture, but there will be a great need for manpower in the fields of qualified software, robotic system integration, data science, and cybersecurity. The critical thing is an education reform that will direct our young population towards these new fields. If we equip these young people with the right education policies and R&D incentives, we can turn the threat into an opportunity.”

“ISU XR Lab is a center that produces technology and trains qualified human resources.”

Prof. Dr. Pişkin says the following about the studies conducted at ISU XR Lab:

“At ISU XR Lab, technological transformation in healthcare and education is explored through VR-based simulations, AI-supported imaging studies, and robotic control prototypes. Automated anomaly detection and XR-assisted surgical simulations demonstrate, with concrete data, which tasks automation can undertake and where human expertise is indispensable. VR surgical training, haptic feedback systems, and human-robot interaction experiments developed in the lab show how human competence is reshaped by robotic systems through case studies. XR-based retraining programs, digital twins, and virtual internship applications offer practical solutions to the skill gaps created by career transformation. These studies shorten the adaptation period of individuals to new technologies and accelerate their reintegration into the workforce. In all projects developed at ISU XR Lab, safety, ethics, and data privacy are considered as fundamental components of the design. Research shows that robotic and XR systems achieve the highest safety and efficiency not when they replace humans, but when they enhance their capabilities. The lab prepares students for the professions of the future by taking them beyond theoretical knowledge and engaging them in applied and interdisciplinary projects integrated with industry. Domestic prototypes, clinical studies, and..." Through international collaborations, ISU XR Lab is positioned as a center that both produces technology and trains qualified human resources to use this technology.

Source: HORECA TREND and ISU XR Lab