Will AI replace Occupational Therapists?

AI can do 84% of the work Occupational Therapists do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 11 of them. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 5 still need a person.

AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time

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

  • Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.

AI could do this next11 · 84% of time

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

  • Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate persons with disabilities because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.29% of time
  • Complete and maintain necessary records.17% of time
  • Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.13% of time
  • Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.6% of time
  • Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.5% of time
  • Consult with rehabilitation team to select activity programs or coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.5% of time
  • Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps.5% of time
  • Design and create, or requisition, special supplies and equipment, such as splints, braces, and computer-aided adaptive equipment.3% of time
  • Help clients improve decision making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination, and perceptual skills, using computer programs.1% of time
  • Advise on health risks in the workplace or on health-related transition to retirement.under 1% of time
  • Conduct research in occupational therapy.under 1% of time

Robots can technically do this1 · 4% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Lay out materials such as puzzles, scissors and eating utensils for use in therapy, and clean and repair these tools after therapy sessions.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time

Still needs a person5 · 12% 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.

  • Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.4% of time
  • Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.3% of time
  • Develop and participate in health promotion programs, group activities, or discussions to promote client health, facilitate social adjustment, alleviate stress, and prevent physical or mental disability.3% of time
  • Provide training and supervision in therapy techniques and objectives for students or nurses and other medical staff.3% of time
  • Provide patients with assistance in locating or holding jobs.under 1% of time

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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 0 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

  • Get ahead on the 11 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 1 physical task robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 5 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists39%Physical Therapists67%Radiation Therapists28%Recreational Therapists60%Respiratory Therapists28%Speech-Language Pathologists62%

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