Will AI replace Music Therapists?

AI can do 75% of the work Music Therapists do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 2 of their 30 tasks, while 23 more are ready but barely used so far. 5 still need a person.

AI is already doing this2 · 3% of time

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

  • Analyze or synthesize client data to draw conclusions or make recommendations for therapy.Mostly automated1% of time
  • Communicate client assessment findings and recommendations in oral, written, audio, video, or other forms.Mostly automated1% of time

AI could do this next23 · 73% of time

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

  • Design or provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.14% of time
  • Document evaluations, treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.11% of time
  • Design music therapy experiences, using various musical elements to meet client's goals or objectives.5% of time
  • Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to music therapy.5% of time
  • Engage clients in music experiences to identify client responses to different styles of music, types of musical experiences, such as improvising or listening, or elements of music, such as tempo or harmony.4% of time
  • Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or physically to meet client's therapeutic needs.4% of time
  • Plan or structure music therapy sessions to achieve appropriate transitions, pacing, sequencing, energy level, or intensity in accordance with treatment plans.4% of time
  • Confer with professionals on client's treatment team to develop, coordinate, or integrate treatment plans.3% of time
  • Customize treatment programs for specific areas of music therapy, such as intellectual or developmental disabilities, educational settings, geriatrics, medical settings, mental health, physical disabilities, or wellness.3% of time
  • Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.3% of time
  • Gather diagnostic data from sources such as case documentation, observations of clients, or interviews with clients or family members.3% of time
  • Adapt existing or develop new music therapy assessment instruments or procedures to meet an individual client's needs.1% of time
  • Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of specific treatments or therapy approaches.1% of time
  • Select or adapt musical instruments, musical equipment, or non-musical materials, such as adaptive devices or visual aids, to meet treatment objectives.1% of time
  • Compose, arrange, or adapt music for music therapy treatments.1% of time
  • Conduct information sharing sessions, such as in-service workshops for other professionals, potential client groups, or the general community.1% of time
  • Integrate behavioral, developmental, improvisational, medical, or neurological approaches into music therapy treatments.1% of time
  • Apply selected research findings to practice.1% of time
  • Apply current technology to music therapy practices.1% of time
  • Collaborate with others to design or implement interdisciplinary treatment programs.1% of time
  • Participate in continuing education.1% of time
  • Assess the risks and benefits of treatment termination for clients.under 1% of time
  • Conduct, or assist in the conduct of, music therapy research.under 1% of time

Still needs a person5 · 25% 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.

  • Sing or play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.11% of time
  • Communicate with clients to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to musical experiences.7% of time
  • Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, or other abilities.4% of time
  • Identify and respond to emergency physical or mental health situations.1% of time
  • Supervise staff, volunteers, practicum students, or interns engaged in music therapy activities.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.

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What this means

AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. Real use is still behind at 2 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.

What to do next

  • Do the 2 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 23 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Build on the 5 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Occupational Therapists84%Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists39%Physical Therapists67%Radiation Therapists28%Recreational Therapists60%Respiratory Therapists28%

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