Will AI replace Economics Teachers, Postsecondary?

AI can do 71% of the work Economics Teachers, Postsecondary do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 9 of their 22 tasks, while 7 more are ready but barely used so far. 6 still need a person.

AI is already doing this9 · 43% of time

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

  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.Mostly automated19% of time
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.Mostly automated6% of time
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.Mostly assisted5% of time
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.Mostly automated4% of time
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.Mostly automated3% of time
  • Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.Mostly automated3% of time
  • Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.Mostly automated1% of time
  • Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.Mostly automated1% of time
  • Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.Mostly assisted1% of time

AI could do this next7 · 28% of time

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

  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.10% of time
  • Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.4% of time
  • Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.4% of time
  • Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.4% of time
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.2% of time
  • Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.2% of time
  • Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.1% of time

Still needs a person6 · 29% 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.

  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as econometrics, price theory, and macroeconomics.16% of time
  • Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.4% of time
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.3% of time
  • Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.3% of time
  • Participate in campus and community events.1% of time
  • Act as advisers to student organizations.1% 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 do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. People in this job already use it heavily. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.

What to do next

  • Do the 9 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 7 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Build on the 6 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary82%Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary68%Geography Teachers, Postsecondary64%Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary67%Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary82%Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary69%

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