Will AI replace Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products?
AI can do 95% of the work Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 9 of their 18 tasks, while 7 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 1 still needs a person.
AI is already doing this9 · 77% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders.Mostly automated19% of time
- Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms.Mostly automated11% of time
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales budgets and reports, keeping sales records, and filing expense account reports.Mostly automated10% of time
- Consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support.Mostly automated9% of time
- Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests.Mostly automated7% of time
- Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates.Mostly automated6% of time
- Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences.Mostly automated6% of time
- Prepare sales contracts and order forms.Mostly automated5% of time
- Monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales.Mostly automated4% of time
AI could do this next7 · 17% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Negotiate details of contracts and payments.4% of time
- Prepare drawings, estimates, and bids that meet specific customer needs.2% of time
- Provide customers with product samples and catalogs.2% of time
- Arrange and direct delivery and installation of products and equipment.2% of time
- Plan, assemble, and stock product displays in retail stores, or make recommendations to retailers regarding product displays, promotional programs, and advertising.2% of time
- Negotiate with retail merchants to improve product exposure, such as shelf positioning and advertising.2% of time
- Obtain credit information about prospective customers.1% of time
Robots can technically do this1 · 2% 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.
- Check stock levels and reorder merchandise as necessary.Robots: structured workplaces2% of time
Still needs a person1 · 2% 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.
- Forward orders to manufacturers.2% 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.
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 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.
- 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 1 task that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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