I work in industry, developing scientific measurement equipment. So I'm right in the thick of things.
There are still plenty of problems in theoretical physics that are not quantum gravity. A better understanding of superconductors would be welcome right now. Likewise, nuclear fusion. Many interdisciplinary problems such as climate science and batteries.
But in terms of sheer numbers, the life sciences dwarf physics, and have been racing to automate lab work for decades. There's real money involved, not puny government grants. Larger commercial bio labs have already centralized management of technicians and data. The vendors of products in that space have all announced AI features.
In terms of my own career (at age 62), the most likely scenario is that people pay me to invent tools that make other people more productive. There's no economic reason to come after my job... yet.
Meanwhile, don't overlook the value of a "technician" who has a situational awareness of subtle conditions in the lab, and a personal stake in success of the experiment.
There are still plenty of problems in theoretical physics that are not quantum gravity. A better understanding of superconductors would be welcome right now. Likewise, nuclear fusion. Many interdisciplinary problems such as climate science and batteries.
But in terms of sheer numbers, the life sciences dwarf physics, and have been racing to automate lab work for decades. There's real money involved, not puny government grants. Larger commercial bio labs have already centralized management of technicians and data. The vendors of products in that space have all announced AI features.
In terms of my own career (at age 62), the most likely scenario is that people pay me to invent tools that make other people more productive. There's no economic reason to come after my job... yet.
Meanwhile, don't overlook the value of a "technician" who has a situational awareness of subtle conditions in the lab, and a personal stake in success of the experiment.