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AI exposure Life, physical and social science

Will AI replace survey researchers?

Survey Researchers. US occupation 19-3022.

43.2%

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

Ranked 26 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 96% of them.Further along than 96% 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 survey researchersWhat survey researchers no longer do alone

O*NET lists 16 tasks for survey researchers. 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.

  1. Review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis.Core task mostly automated 1.00
  2. Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.Core task mostly automated 0.98
  3. Analyze data from surveys, old records, or case studies, using statistical software.Core task mostly automated 0.97
  4. Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.Core task mostly automated 0.96
  5. Conduct research to gather information about survey topics.Core task mostly automated 0.94

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

11 of the 16 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Collaborate with other researchers in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of surveys.Core task
  • Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.Core task
  • Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.Core task
  • Direct and review the work of staff members, including survey support staff and interviewers who gather survey data.Core task
  • Direct updates and changes in survey implementation and methods.Core task
  • Hire and train recruiters and data collectors.Core task
Show the other 5
  • Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.Core task
  • Produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.Core task
  • Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys.Core task
  • Write proposals to win new projects.Core task
  • Write training manuals to be used by survey interviewers.Core task

How that compares

Among the 46 life, physical and social science occupations, survey researchers rank 3. The group averages 12.2%, and its most exposed job is Political Scientists at 45.2%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Just above in the ranking

  1. 23Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents 44.1%
  2. 24Social Science Research Assistants 43.9%
  3. 25Receptionists and Information Clerks 43.4%

Just below

  1. 27Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary 43.1%
  2. 28Interpreters and Translators 43.0%
  3. 29Operations Research Analysts 42.9%

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.