As AI transforms industries, Thunder Bay workers are asking: where do we stand?

THUNDER BAY – BUSINESS UPDATES — The rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has sparked a global conversation about the future of work—and that conversation is becoming more urgent in Northwestern Ontario.

From ChatGPT automating emails to AI-powered robots navigating warehouses, the question isn’t if AI will change how we work, but how much.

For workers in Thunder Bay and across the region, that means rethinking career paths, training priorities, and economic resilience.

Is AI gunning for your job? That depends. Some industries are seeing massive disruption already, while others remain firmly in human hands.

One point of view is that AI isn’t going to take your job away, but it could be that someone who is trained and working with AI could!

Jobs at Risk: Where AI Is Making Inroads

AI excels in tasks that are routine, repetitive, and data-driven. These jobs are under the most pressure:

• Administrative Assistants & Clerks
  AI tools can draft emails, manage schedules, and process documents. Basic admin roles are increasingly being automated.

• Customer Service Representatives
  Chatbots powered by natural language models are now handling everything from tech support to order processing.

• Data Entry & Bookkeeping
  AI is able to rapidly process invoices, balance accounts, and reconcile records with near-perfect accuracy.

• Retail Cashiers
  Self-checkout kiosks and AI-assisted inventory management are reducing the need for front-line retail staff.

• Transportation & Delivery Drivers
  While full automation is still years away, autonomous vehicles and drone delivery pilots are advancing quickly.

Thunder Bay’s logistics, clerical, and customer service sectors may start seeing the effects of this transformation sooner rather than later.

Jobs That Are Safer — For Now

Certain jobs require human empathy, creativity, or complex physical dexterity—areas where AI still struggles. These include:

• Skilled Trades & Manual Labour
  Plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and construction workers are hard to replace due to the variability and problem-solving nature of their work.

• Healthcare Workers
  Nurses, PSWs, and therapists need emotional intelligence, adaptability, and face-to-face care—things AI can’t replicate.

• Education Professionals
  Teachers and early childhood educators require nuanced interpersonal skills that go far beyond lesson delivery.

• Creative Fields
  While AI can generate content, authentic creativity—filmmaking, high-level design, and cultural storytelling—remains a human edge.

• Mental Health & Social Work
  Complex emotional support, crisis intervention, and community outreach are deeply human tasks unlikely to be automated.

In a regional context, Thunder Bay’s healthcare sector, education system, and skilled trades economy may prove more resilient than other parts of the job market.

What Can Workers Do?

Adaptability is key. Experts recommend:

• Upskilling & Reskilling
  Learn how to use AI tools in your field rather than compete with them. Free online courses and micro-credentials can help.

• Soft Skills Matter
  Communication, empathy, collaboration, and ethics are becoming even more valuable in an AI-assisted world.

• Consider Tech-Adjacent Roles
  Data analysts, AI ethics officers, prompt engineers, and machine learning trainers are growing roles that blend people and technology.

For Thunder Bay, investments in local tech training, post-secondary partnerships, and innovation hubs could help build a more future-proof workforce.

Final Thought: It’s Not Just About Job Loss — It’s About Job Change

AI isn’t just replacing jobs—it’s reshaping them. Many roles will evolve to include AI as a tool, not a threat. The key for Thunder Bay workers and companies is to ensure that workers and employers alike are prepared, informed, and proactive.

Artificial Intelligence opens doors—and also raises serious questions. But with the right approach, Northwestern Ontario can be part of the solution, not just swept up in the disruption.

Have a tip or training program to share? Email newsroom@netnewsledger.com—let’s spotlight it on our next Business Update.