Preparing for the hybrid human/humanoid workforce

Questions about the future of work and how to build resilient careers are common. As humanoid robots become increasingly integrated into workplaces, it's clear they will reshape the job market—displacing some roles while simultaneously creating new ones and boosting demand for others. While technical expertise will be crucial, vital non-technical roles in ethics, process engineering, training, and leadership will also be essential. Interest in robotics is surging; Figure robotics founder Brett Adcock reported on April 30, 2025, that job applications jumped from 33,000 last year to 53,609 already this year, indicating roughly fivefold year-over-year growth. Based on research, here's a look at the human roles expected to be in high demand:

1. Robot Design, Development, and Engineering:

• Robotics Engineers: Designing, building, and testing humanoid robots. (Mechanical, electrical, and software engineers will be crucial).

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Projects strong growth for mechanical, electrical, and computer hardware engineers. They also list robotics engineers as a growing occupation, though it's still relatively small. (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/home.htm, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes172141.htm)

World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2023: Highlights the importance of technological skills including AI and robotics.

• AI/Machine Learning Specialists: Developing the AI algorithms that control robot behavior, perception, and decision-making.

References:

World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2023: Lists AI & Machine Learning Specialists as one of the fastest growing jobs.

LinkedIn, Jobs on the Rise Report: Consistently shows strong demand for AI-related roles.

• Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) Specialists: Designing interfaces and interactions that allow humans and robots to work together effectively and safely. This includes areas like natural language processing, gesture recognition, and user experience (UX).

References:

Fong, T., Nourbakhsh, I., & Dautenhahn, K. (2003). A survey of socially interactive robots. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 42(3-4), 143-166. This foundational paper highlights the importance of HRI in robotics.

Dautenhahn, K. (2007). Socially intelligent robots: Dimensions of human-robot interaction. Information, Communication & Society, 10(5), 759-779. Explores the social aspects of HRI, emphasizing the need for robots to understand and respond to human cues.

2. Robot Deployment, Integration, and Maintenance:

• Robot Technicians/Maintenance Personnel: Installing, configuring, troubleshooting, and repairing humanoid robots. This includes mechanical, electrical, and software maintenance.

References:

Deloitte, The robots are ready. Are you?: Discusses the need for skilled technicians to maintain and repair robots.

Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute: Focuses on workforce development and training for robotics-related jobs, including maintenance.

• Robot Integrators: Integrating robots into existing workflows and systems. This requires understanding both the robots and the processes they are being integrated into.

References:

MIT Technology Review Insights, The robotics dividend: Emphasizes the importance of integration for realizing the benefits of robotics.

• Robot Training Specialists: Developing and delivering training programs to teach humans how to work safely and effectively with humanoid robots.

Reference:* The need for such specialists is logical given the increasing complexities of integrating robots in various fields. Although exact studies may not be readily available due to the emerging nature of this role, the growing awareness about the skills gap in areas using advanced technology implies the need for training and educational roles.

3. Roles Requiring Uniquely Human Skills:

• Creativity and Innovation: Humanoid robots are unlikely to replace jobs requiring originality, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking. This includes artists, writers, researchers, and entrepreneurs.

References:

Frey, C. B., & Osborne, M. A. (2013). The future of employment: How susceptible are jobs to computerisation?. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 114, 254-280. This seminal paper notes that creative and non-routine tasks are less susceptible to automation.

• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Complex problem-solving that requires judgment, ethical considerations, and adapting to unforeseen circumstances will remain primarily human tasks.

References:

World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2023: Identifies critical thinking and analysis as top skills for the future workforce.

• Emotional Intelligence and Empathy: Roles involving human interaction, care, and emotional support will remain in demand. This includes therapists, social workers, nurses, and teachers.

References:

Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The second machine age: Work, progress, and prosperity in a time of brilliant technologies. WW Norton & Company. Argues that jobs requiring empathy and social skills will be difficult to automate.

• Leadership and Management: Motivating, guiding, and coordinating human teams will still require human leaders with strong interpersonal skills. While robots might assist with data analysis and decision support, the final responsibility and nuanced human interactions remain with human managers.

References:* Many management and leadership resources highlight the ongoing importance of human skills even in a technology-driven world. For instance, books on agile leadership and emotional intelligence emphasize the need for human connection in managing teams.

4. Data-Related Roles:

• Data Scientists/Analysts: Analyzing the vast amounts of data generated by robots to optimize performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions.

References:

World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2023: Highlights the growing demand for data analysts and scientists.

• AI Ethicists: Ensuring that the data used to train and operate robots is ethical, unbiased, and respects privacy. This is crucial to avoid perpetuating biases or discriminatory outcomes.

Reference:* This role is gaining importance with the increased awareness of the ethical implications of AI. Academic research and industry discussions are focusing on the necessity for ethical guidelines in data collection and usage.

5. Adapting Existing Roles:

Many existing roles will evolve rather than disappear entirely. For example:

• Manufacturing Workers: Will need to learn how to work alongside robots, focusing on tasks that require dexterity, problem-solving, and oversight.

• Logistics and Transportation Workers: While some driving jobs may be automated, roles involving route optimization, exception handling, and customer service will remain important.

General Considerations:

• Education and Training: A key factor in adapting to the changing job market will be continuous learning and upskilling. Individuals will need to acquire new skills in areas like robotics, AI, data analysis, and human-robot collaboration.

• Government and Policy: Governments will need to play a role in supporting workforce development, providing social safety nets, and addressing the ethical and societal implications of widespread automation.

• Ethical Frameworks: As robots become more integrated into our daily lives, professionals with expertise in ethics will be needed to develop and enforce ethical guidelines for their use.

While the rise of humanoid robots will undoubtedly transform the workplace, it will also create new opportunities for humans. The key to success will be adapting to these changes, focusing on uniquely human skills, and embracing lifelong learning. The references provided offer a starting point for further exploration of these trends. Remember that the future of work is dynamic and requires constant evaluation and adaptation.

Interested in exploring these concepts further? Contact us (humans) at stephen@roboethics.com.au

*This article and the associated image have been generated with the assistance of AI. This is an opinion piece about a possible future scenario and should not be taken as legal advice.