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How exposed to AI is a Computer and Information Research Scientist?

Of the 15 tasks O*NET lists for computer and information research scientists, 3 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 3 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Computer ScientistComputer SpecialistControl System Computer ScientistResearch ScientistScientific Programmer Analyst
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
15
tasks rated for this occupation
92%
hold a degree, from a survey of only 16
31k
people do this job in the US
35 of 36
least protected in computing and maths

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

3
  • Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software
  • Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues
  • Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures

Only with software built on top

9
  • Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses
  • Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals
  • Design computers and the software that runs them
  • Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements
  • Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards
  • Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users
  • Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments
  • Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates
  • Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets

Cannot be sped up

3
  • Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems
  • Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers
  • Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.