Most people are (sadly) redundant. Regardless of the industry. No need for automation or Machine Learning to replace them. They can be fired right away and more often than not this would lead to positive change for both the businesses (less $ spent for dead weight) and for the customers.
Why? They do not really care about their job. They see it as the means to an end. Not something one should enjoy or care for. Just an obligation one needs to fulfill over and over again, day after day. Like in high-school. You have to attend those classes and have such and such grades. Others see the job as the means to finance their pleasures or (ma favourite) to “cheat the system”. Nothing bad here. Except that those people would always remain redundant, subpar or to the very best – average and sometimes outright dangerous. Easy to replace because they have no specific expertise, knowledge or proficiency. Not saying they are not capable. Most of the redundant ones are smart but only when it comes to self serving. The world is filled up with people who don’t care. Vast pool to draw from hence the redundancy.
How to become irreplaceable? Dive into all the (hard) problems that nobody else wishes to tackle. Be active, serve, be helpful, learn, experiment, don’t wait on anyone or anything, be creative. Do it now (do it goooooooood). Would that guarantee your job? Nope. But it would increase your chances of finding an awesome one because this approach will force you practice. Same as with formal education. Some had it, others didn’t. It was a show stopper for some and enabler for others. It all depends on your mindset and most importantly – a c t i o n s.