Will Robots Take Our Jobs?
Quick Answer
Robots and AI will change the way many jobs work, and some jobs will disappear, but new jobs that don't exist yet will also be created. Throughout history, new technology has always replaced some jobs while creating others. The best way to prepare is to build skills that machines aren't good at, like creativity, teamwork, and solving problems in new ways.
Explaining By Age Group
Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation
You know how a washing machine washes clothes instead of people scrubbing them by hand? That's a machine doing a job people used to do. Robots can do some jobs like that too. They help in factories and can even clean floors!
You know how new toys get invented all the time that you never had before? New jobs get invented all the time too! When robots do some jobs, people think up brand new jobs to do instead. There's always more work to figure out.
Some things robots are really good at, like putting the same piece in the same spot over and over in a factory. But robots aren't good at things like being kind to a friend who's sad, or thinking of a brand new idea, or being creative. Those things need people!
When you grow up, you might have a job that hasn't even been invented yet! That's actually pretty exciting. The world is always changing, and people are always finding new and interesting things to do.
Ages 6-8 More Detail
It's a question that a lot of people wonder about: will robots take everybody's jobs? The short answer is that robots and computers will change a lot of jobs, but they probably won't take them all. And while some jobs go away, new ones are always being created.
This has happened before. A long time ago, most people worked on farms. Then machines were invented that could do farm work faster, so fewer people needed to farm. Were all those people left with nothing to do? Nope! New kinds of jobs popped up that nobody had even imagined before, like making cars, flying planes, and eventually building websites.
Robots and AI are really good at jobs that involve doing the same thing over and over, like putting caps on bottles in a factory or sorting packages in a warehouse. They're also getting good at things like analyzing data and answering simple questions. Jobs like these might be done by machines more and more.
But robots aren't good at everything. They can't comfort someone who's upset. They're not great at coming up with totally new ideas. They can't build trust with people the way a good teacher or doctor does. Jobs that need caring, creativity, and deep thinking are much harder for robots to do.
The best thing you can do right now is keep learning, stay curious, and practice skills like problem-solving, working with others, and thinking creatively. People who can do those things will always be needed, no matter how smart robots get.
Ages 9-12 Full Explanation
The worry that machines will take people's jobs isn't new. It goes back over 200 years to when factory machines started replacing hand workers during the Industrial Revolution. Workers even smashed machines in protest. But what actually happened was more complicated: while some jobs did disappear, entirely new industries and jobs emerged that no one could have predicted.
That pattern is likely to repeat with AI and robots. Some jobs are already being done by machines. Self-checkout kiosks replace some cashiers. Robots in warehouses replace some package handlers. AI tools can do basic data entry, customer service chats, and even some writing tasks. These changes are real, and they affect real people's livelihoods.
But here's the other side: technology also creates brand new jobs. Twenty years ago, jobs like social media manager, app developer, drone pilot, and AI trainer didn't exist. As robots and AI take over certain tasks, new roles will emerge for people to manage, improve, and work alongside that technology. Nobody knows exactly what those future jobs will look like, just like nobody in 1990 predicted that 'YouTuber' would be a career.
The jobs most at risk from automation are those that involve repetitive, predictable tasks. The jobs least at risk are those requiring human connection, creativity, complex decision-making, and the ability to handle unpredictable situations. A robot can assemble a car part, but it can't design a car that people will love. AI can analyze medical data, but patients still want a human doctor who listens and cares.
What does this mean for you? The most future-proof skills aren't about memorizing facts, since AI can already do that. Instead, focus on learning how to think critically, communicate well, work with others, adapt to change, and be creative. These are the things that are hardest for machines to replicate and will be valuable no matter what the job market looks like when you grow up.
It's also worth remembering that society gets to choose how to handle these changes. Technology doesn't just happen to us. We decide how to use it, how to support workers whose jobs change, and how to make sure the benefits are shared fairly. Being informed about these issues means you'll be part of shaping that future, not just reacting to it.
Want explanations personalized for YOUR child's exact age?
Download WhyBuddy free on the App Store. Get instant, age-appropriate answers to any question your child asks.
Tips for Parents
Will robots take our jobs can be a challenging topic to discuss with your child. Here are some practical tips to help guide the conversation:
DO: Follow your child's lead. Let them ask questions at their own pace rather than overwhelming them with information they haven't asked for yet. If they seem satisfied with a simple answer, that's okay — they'll come back with more questions when they're ready.
DO: Use honest, age-appropriate language. You don't need to share every detail, but avoid making up stories or deflecting. Kids can sense when you're being evasive, and honesty builds trust.
DO: Validate their feelings. Whatever emotion your child has in response to learning about will robots take our jobs, acknowledge it. Say things like 'It makes sense that you'd feel that way' or 'That's a really good question.'
DON'T: Don't dismiss their curiosity. Responses like 'You're too young for that' or 'Don't worry about it' can make children feel like their questions are wrong or shameful. If you're not ready to answer, say 'That's an important question. Let me think about the best way to explain it, and we'll talk about it tonight.'
DO: Create an ongoing dialogue. One conversation usually isn't enough. Let your child know that they can always come back to you with more questions about will robots take our jobs. This makes them more likely to come to you rather than seeking potentially unreliable sources.
Common Follow-Up Questions Kids Ask
After discussing will robots take our jobs, your child might also ask:
Which jobs are most likely to be replaced by robots?
Jobs involving repetitive, predictable tasks are most at risk, like assembly line work, data entry, basic customer service, and some types of driving. Jobs requiring creativity, emotional connection, complex problem-solving, and adapting to new situations are much less likely to be replaced.
Will there be enough new jobs for everyone?
Throughout history, technological change has always created more jobs than it destroyed in the long run. But transitions can be painful for people whose jobs disappear before new ones emerge. Society needs to help people learn new skills during these changes.
What skills should I learn to prepare for the future?
Focus on skills that machines aren't good at: creative thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, and the ability to learn new things quickly. Understanding technology and being comfortable with it is also helpful, even if you don't become a programmer.
Has this happened before in history?
Yes, many times. The invention of the printing press, the steam engine, the automobile, and the computer all transformed the job market. Each time, some jobs disappeared while new ones emerged. The shift can be difficult, but humans have always adapted and found new ways to work.
Can robots do creative things like art and music?
AI can generate art and music that looks and sounds impressive, but it does this by remixing patterns from existing human-created work. It doesn't have the personal experience, emotion, or intention that makes human art meaningful. Human creativity remains unique and valuable.
You Might Also Want to Explain
Want explanations personalized for YOUR child's exact age?
Download WhyBuddy free on the App Store. Get instant, age-appropriate answers to any question your child asks.