AI exposure Computer and mathematical
Will AI replace computer and information research scientists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists. US occupation 15-1221.
The reading
34.0%
of the time computer and information research scientists spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of computer and information research scientists' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.
Ranked 51 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 93% of them.Further along than 93% of them.
Per cent of working time Square-law scale
Average US job 7.7%
One of the most exposed jobs in the country.Front of the queue for an AI assistant.
What AI already does for computer and information research scientistsWhat computer and information research scientists no longer do alone
O*NET lists 15 tasks for computer and information research scientists. AI use at work shows up in 5 of them. Each score runs from 0.5, where every observed use helps a person with the task, to 1, where every use does the task outright.
- Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.Core task mostly automated 1.00
- Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.Core task mostly automated 0.90
- Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.Core task mostly automated 0.87
- Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.Core task automated and assisted 0.73
- Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.Core task automated and assisted 0.71
What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human
10 of the 15 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.
- Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.Core task
- Design computers and the software that runs them.Core task
- Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards.Core task
- Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.Core task
- Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.Core task
- Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.Core task
Show the other 4
- Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.
- Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.
- Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.
- Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.
How that compares
Among the 21 computer and mathematical occupations, computer and information research scientists rank 11. The group averages 37.9%, and its most exposed job is Computer Programmers at 74.5%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.
Just above in the ranking
- 48Personal Financial Advisors 35.0%
- 49Accountants and Auditors 34.8%
- 50Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners 34.3%
Just below
What this does and does not mean
Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.
A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.
Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.