What does HuReq mean?

HuReq (pronounced HYOO-rek) is a word meaning 'Human Required.' It describes a job, task, or activity that requires human involvement, judgment, or supervision and cannot be adequately performed by artificial intelligence alone.

How do you pronounce HuReq?

HuReq is pronounced HYOO-rek (/ˈhjuːrek/). It rhymes with 'queue' and 'wreck' combined.

What are examples of HuReq jobs?

HuReq jobs include therapists, nurses, teachers, social workers, surgeons, clergy, crisis negotiators, and any role requiring empathy, moral judgment, or genuine human connection.

Is HuReq a real word?

HuReq is a new word created for the AI age, combining 'Human' and 'Required.' It's part of a campaign to add this useful term to the English language through everyday use.

10 Jobs That Are Definitely HuReq

While AI transforms many industries, some professions remain fundamentally HuReq—requiring human involvement that no algorithm can replicate. Here are ten jobs that will always need that human touch.

1. Therapists and Counselors

Why it's HuReq: Mental health treatment isn't just about identifying symptoms and suggesting interventions. It's about creating a safe, trusting relationship where clients feel truly heard. AI can provide information, but it can't provide genuine human compassion.

"My therapist knows when I'm minimizing. She reads between the lines. That's HuReq."

2. Hospice Workers

Why it's HuReq: End-of-life care requires extraordinary emotional intelligence and the ability to provide comfort in humanity's most vulnerable moments. This work is HuReq at its most profound.

3. Emergency First Responders

Why it's HuReq: Split-second decisions in chaotic environments, combined with the need to calm and reassure victims—this work requires human judgment, presence, and adaptability.

4. Kindergarten Teachers

Why it's HuReq: Young children need human role models for emotional development. They need hugs, patient guidance, and the warmth of a caring adult. AI can't raise children.

5. Trial Lawyers

Why it's HuReq: Persuading a jury requires reading the room, making emotional connections, and adapting on the fly. The courtroom is a stage for human drama—definitely HuReq.

6. Social Workers

Why it's HuReq: Navigating complex family situations, making judgment calls about child safety, and building relationships with vulnerable populations requires deep human understanding.

7. Clergy and Spiritual Leaders

Why it's HuReq: Spiritual guidance, performing ceremonies, and providing comfort during life's major transitions require a human presence that no AI can substitute.

8. Surgeons

Why it's HuReq: While AI assists with imaging and planning, the operating room still requires human hands, judgment, and the ability to adapt when things don't go as planned.

9. Crisis Negotiators

Why it's HuReq: De-escalating tense situations requires reading human psychology in real-time, building rapport, and making intuitive decisions. Lives depend on that human connection.

10. Midwives and Doulas

Why it's HuReq: Supporting someone through childbirth requires physical presence, emotional support, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations—all while providing human comfort.

The Common Thread

What unites these professions? They all require some combination of:

•Genuine emotional connection

•Complex moral reasoning

•Physical presence and touch

•Real-time human judgment

•Authentic relationship-building

These are the hallmarks of HuReq work—and they're not going anywhere.

What About Your Job?

Take a moment to consider: which parts of your work are HuReq? Even in roles that are being transformed by AI, there are usually HuReq elements that remain essential.

Identifying the HuReq parts of your role isn't about job security anxiety—it's about recognizing where you add unique, irreplaceable value.

Want to add to this list? Share on social media with #HuReq. Explore more: Future-proof HuReq careers | HuReq vs automatable framework | How to use HuReq