How over is it?

A mood ring wired to real instruments

AI exposure Computer and mathematical

Will AI replace software quality assurance analysts and testers?

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers. US occupation 15-1253.

52.0%

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

Ranked 10 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 98% of them.Further along than 98% 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 quality assurance analysts and testersWhat software quality assurance analysts and testers no longer do alone

O*NET lists 30 tasks for software quality assurance analysts and testers. AI use at work shows up in 12 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. Investigate customer problems referred by technical support.Core task mostly automated 1.00
  2. Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes.Core task mostly automated 1.00
  3. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation.Core task mostly automated 0.99
  4. Update automated test scripts to ensure currency.Core task mostly automated 0.99
  5. Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.Core task mostly automated 0.98
  6. Design or develop automated testing tools.Core task mostly automated 0.97
  7. Review software documentation to ensure technical accuracy, compliance, or completeness, or to mitigate risks.Core task mostly automated 0.96
  8. Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance. mostly automated 0.96
Show the other 4
  1. Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements. mostly automated 0.96
  2. Perform initial debugging procedures by reviewing configuration files, logs, or code pieces to determine breakdown source.Core task mostly automated 0.94
  3. Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.Core task mostly automated 0.85
  4. Evaluate or recommend software for testing or bug tracking.Core task automated and assisted 0.79

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

18 of the 30 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Collaborate with field staff or customers to evaluate or diagnose problems and recommend possible solutions.Core task
  • Conduct historical analyses of test results.Core task
  • Conduct software compatibility tests with programs, hardware, operating systems, or network environments.Core task
  • Coordinate user or third-party testing.Core task
  • Create or maintain databases of known test defects.Core task
  • Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.Core task
Show the other 12
  • Develop or specify standards, methods, or procedures to determine product quality or release readiness.Core task
  • Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.Core task
  • Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.Core task
  • Identify program deviance from standards, and suggest modifications to ensure compliance.Core task
  • Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.Core task
  • Install and configure recreations of software production environments to allow testing of software performance.Core task
  • Install, maintain, or use software testing programs.Core task
  • Monitor program performance to ensure efficient and problem-free operations.Core task
  • Participate in product design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, product designs, schedules, or potential problems.Core task
  • Plan test schedules or strategies in accordance with project scope or delivery dates.Core task
  • Visit beta testing sites to evaluate software performance.Core task
  • Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, or humidity in area of system installation.

How that compares

Among the 21 computer and mathematical occupations, software quality assurance analysts and testers rank 3. 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. 7Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products 62.8%
  2. 8Database Architects 57.9%
  3. 9Financial and Investment Analysts 57.2%

Just below

  1. 11Statistical Assistants 51.0%
  2. 12Information Security Analysts 48.6%
  3. 13Web Developers 48.0%

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.