Will AI replace Computer and Information Research Scientists?

AI can do 87% of the work Computer and Information Research Scientists do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 5 of their 15 tasks, while 8 more are ready but barely used so far. 2 still need a person.

AI is already doing this5 · 44% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.Mostly automated20% of time
  • Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.Mostly automated13% of time
  • Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.Mostly assisted5% of time
  • Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.Mostly automated4% of time
  • Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.Mostly assisted3% of time

AI could do this next8 · 43% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.18% of time
  • Design computers and the software that runs them.10% of time
  • Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.5% of time
  • Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.4% of time
  • Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.3% of time
  • Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards.1% of time
  • Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.1% of time
  • Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.1% of time

Still needs a person2 · 13% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.8% of time
  • Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.5% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

Get my personal report

What this means

AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. People in this job already use it heavily. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.

What to do next

  • Do the 5 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 8 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Build on the 2 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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