AI Won’t Steal Your Job — But It Might Upgrade It

The fear that artificial intelligence will wipe out jobs en masse is everywhere—from headlines to dinner table debates. But Dean Carignan, innovation expert and chief of staff at Microsoft Office's Office of the Chief Scientist, isn’t buying into the panic. In a recent interview with CNBC, Carignan emphasized that AI isn’t here to eliminate human jobs but to enhance them.

“I don’t believe AI will take all our jobs,” Carignan said. Instead, he sees AI as a powerful tool that helps people avoid mundane tasks, freeing them up to focus on what humans do best—creativity, negotiation, and collaboration. In his view, the narrative shouldn’t be about replacement, but redirection: shifting the workforce toward higher-value, human-centric roles.

And the numbers back him up.

While some roles may evolve or shrink, others are booming. Here are several high-paying jobs that are thriving because of AI, not in spite of it:

AI & Machine Learning Engineers
💰 Average Salary: $165,000+
AI isn’t self-sufficient—it needs people to build, train, and fine-tune it. These engineers are in hot demand across every industry from finance to healthcare. Companies are hiring aggressively to stay ahead in the AI race. (Salary source: Glassdoor)

Cybersecurity Analysts
💰 Average Salary: $105,000+
As AI gets smarter, so do the cyber threats. While AI tools help detect vulnerabilities, human experts are still vital in interpreting and responding to risks. (Salary source: Glassdoor)

Data Scientists and Analysts
💰 Average Salary: $131,000+
AI runs on data, but raw data means nothing without human insight. Data professionals clean, contextualize, and apply insights that make AI smarter and more ethical. (Salary source: Glassdoor)

Cloud Computing Specialists
💰 Average Salary: $86,000+
AI’s computing demands rely heavily on cloud infrastructure. Engineers who can build and manage cloud systems are crucial to scaling AI applications. (Salary source: ZipRecruiter)

Healthcare Professionals
💰 Average Salary: $80,000+
AI is changing diagnostics, but it can’t replace human empathy or clinical judgment. Tools like Aidoc help with brain bleed detection, but doctors and nurses remain irreplaceable. (Salary source: ZipRecruiter)

Renewable Energy Engineers
💰 Average Salary: $111,000+
AI is revolutionizing energy efficiency. Companies like Verdigris Technologies use it to optimize commercial power usage, fueling demand for engineers who bridge AI and sustainability. (Salary source: ZipRecruiter)

Creative & Marketing Professionals
💰 Average Salary: $80,000+
AI can write copy, but it can’t craft compelling brand stories or connect with audiences emotionally. Humans who understand AI’s limits are becoming marketing MVPs. (Salary source: ZipRecruiter)

Skilled Trades
💰 Salary varies
AI can’t unclog a toilet or install wiring. Plumbers, electricians, and other trade workers remain essential—and well-paid—as infrastructure demand grows.

Adapting > Competing

The takeaway? AI isn’t a job thief—it’s a tool. And like any tool, those who know how to use it will thrive. Workers should invest in skills that AI can’t mimic: emotional intelligence, critical thinking, leadership, and creativity.

The future of work isn’t about battling AI—it’s about teaming up with it.

Cited: https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/jobs/microsofts-ai-director-says-ai-will-not-take-all-our-jobs-here-are-jobs-that-pay-more-than-ever/