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AI exposure Computer and mathematical

Will AI replace software developers?

Software Developers, also called software engineers. US occupation 15-1252.

28.8%

of the time software developers spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of software developers' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.

Ranked 73 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 90% of them.Further along than 90% of them.

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 software developersWhat software developers no longer do alone

O*NET lists 17 tasks for software developers. AI use at work shows up in 6 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.

  1. Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.Core task mostly automated 0.96
  2. Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.Core task mostly automated 0.91
  3. Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system.Core task mostly automated 0.86
  4. Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.Core task automated and assisted 0.80
  5. Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance.Core task automated and assisted 0.72
  6. Consult with customers or other departments on project status, proposals, or technical issues, such as software system design or maintenance.Core task mostly assisting 0.65

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

11 of the 17 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Confer with data processing or project managers to obtain information on limitations or capabilities for data processing projects.Core task
  • Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.Core task
  • Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes and consequences of design.Core task
  • Determine system performance standards.Core task
  • Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.Core task
  • Coordinate installation of software system.
Show the other 5
  • Monitor functioning of equipment to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
  • Obtain and evaluate information on factors such as reporting formats required, costs, or security needs to determine hardware configuration.
  • Supervise and assign work to programmers, designers, technologists, technicians, or other engineering or scientific personnel.
  • Supervise the work of programmers, technologists and technicians and other engineering and scientific personnel.
  • Train users to use new or modified equipment.

How that compares

Among the 21 computer and mathematical occupations, software developers rank 15. The group averages 37.9%, and its most exposed job is Computer Programmers at 74.5%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Just above in the ranking

  1. 70Paralegals and Legal Assistants 29.3%
  2. 71Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 29.1%
  3. 72Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 29.0%

Just below

  1. 74Computer Network Support Specialists 28.7%
  2. 75Telemarketers 28.5%
  3. 76Real Estate Sales Agents 28.3%

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.