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How exposed to AI is a Computer Systems Engineers/Architect?

Of the 28 tasks O*NET lists for computer systems engineers/architects, 6 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 2 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
Infrastructure EngineerIT Architect (Information Technology Architect)IT Engineer (Information Technology Engineer)Network and Infrastructure EngineerSolutions ArchitectSystems Application EngineerSystems ArchitectSystems ConsultantSystems EngineerWeb Architect
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
28
tasks rated for this occupation
27%
hold a degree, from a survey of 22
370k
people do this job in the US
18 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

6
  • Research, test, or verify proper functioning of software patches and fixes
  • Provide advice on project costs, design concepts, or design changes
  • Provide technical guidance or support for the development or troubleshooting of systems
  • Communicate project information through presentations, technical reports, or white papers
  • Define and analyze objectives, scope, issues, or organizational impact of information systems
  • Train system users in system operation or maintenance

Only with software built on top

20
  • Verify stability, interoperability, portability, security, or scalability of system architecture
  • Develop system engineering, software engineering, system integration, or distributed system architectures
  • Collaborate with engineers or software developers to select appropriate design solutions or ensure the compatibility of system components
  • Identify system data, hardware, or software components required to meet user needs
  • Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements
  • Perform security analyses of developed or packaged software components
  • Document design specifications, installation instructions, and other system-related information
  • Monitor system operation to detect potential problems
  • Design and conduct hardware or software tests
  • Evaluate current or emerging technologies to consider factors such as cost, portability, compatibility, or usability
  • Provide customers or installation teams guidelines for implementing secure systems
  • Establish functional or system standards to address operational requirements, quality requirements, and design constraints
  • Complete models and simulations, using manual or automated tools, to analyze or predict system performance under different operating conditions
  • Develop or approve project plans, schedules, or budgets
  • Develop efficient and effective system controllers
  • Evaluate existing systems to determine effectiveness, and suggest changes to meet organizational requirements
  • Configure servers to meet functional specifications
  • Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems
  • Develop application-specific software
  • Direct the installation of operating systems, network or application software, or computer or network hardware

Cannot be sped up

2
  • Investigate system component suitability for specified purposes, and make recommendations regarding component use
  • Perform ongoing hardware and software maintenance operations, including installing or upgrading hardware or software
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.