Ministry advises Kazakhs to study these professions to stay employed

Tengrinews.kz – Recently, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population announced that around 2.2 million jobs in Kazakhstan could be replaced by artificial intelligence. A Tengrinews.kz correspondent looked into which professions are at risk and what fields Kazakh citizens should study to stay employable in the future.

Which professions might "disappear"?

According to the Ministry, an analysis was conducted identifying key vulnerable and promising professional groups. Jobs most at risk are those involving routine information processing, document flow, and basic operational tasks.

“This category includes administrative and office professions such as secretaries, assistants, operators, clerks, accounting and bookkeeping staff. These roles are highly susceptible to automation, since a significant portion of their functions can be carried out using AI and digital solutions,” the Ministry told Tengrinews.kz in response to an official inquiry.

They added that digitalization, climate change, and demographic trends may also affect related sectors.

Other professions at risk due to their repetitive and routine nature include:

• Assembly line and conveyor workers – due to the development of robotic manufacturing;
• Car and truck drivers – due to the rise of autonomous vehicles;
• Cashiers – as self-checkout systems and automated registers become more common;
• Call center operators – increasingly replaced by AI and chatbots;
• Tractor and harvester operators – thanks to automated machinery in agriculture.

When will this happen?

The Ministry emphasized that it is difficult to predict exactly when and how AI will impact the labor market.

“There is currently no clear understanding of how the development of artificial intelligence will affect the labor market. Researchers agree that much depends on how generative AI evolves and what tasks it will be capable of solving. According to a report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, replacing most jobs all at once is economically unfeasible,” they added.

The Ministry stressed that AI is more likely to assist workers rather than replace them, by automating specific tasks. This could lead to increased productivity and broader adoption of digital tools.

In this way, AI will free up time for other responsibilities rather than fully eliminating professions.

What should Kazakh citizens study?

Global trends are creating demand for new types of jobs. AI, data analysis, and cybersecurity are increasing the need for IT specialists, analysts, and mentors, according to the Ministry. At the same time, the “green transition” is boosting demand for renewable energy engineers and environmental specialists.

“Demographic changes also increase the demand for HR professionals and training experts. The Ministry advises developing skills in these areas and preparing for shifts in the labor market,” the response states.

Recommended areas of study for Kazakh citizens include:

• AI developers and engineers;
• Data analysts;
• Cybersecurity experts;
• Renewable energy engineers;
• Green technology and sustainability specialists;
• HR managers and personnel development specialists;
• Mentors, teachers, and trainers;
• Psychologists and counselors.