Will AI replace Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?

AI can do 95% of the work Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 10 of their 31 tasks, while 17 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 3 physical tasks. 1 still needs a person.

AI is already doing this10 · 49% of time

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

  • Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.Mostly automated11% of time
  • Compose, type, and distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports.Mostly assisted8% of time
  • Create, maintain, and enter information into databases.Mostly automated7% of time
  • Greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.Mostly automated5% of time
  • Use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing.Mostly automated5% of time
  • Schedule and confirm appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.Mostly automated4% of time
  • Provide services to customers, such as order placement or account information.Mostly automated4% of time
  • Conduct searches to find needed information, using such sources as the Internet.Mostly automated1% of time
  • Arrange conference, meeting, or travel reservations for office personnel.Mostly automated1% of time
  • Develop or maintain internal or external company Web sites.Mostly automated1% of time

AI could do this next17 · 46% of time

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

  • Set up and manage paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as attendance records, correspondence, or other material.9% of time
  • Operate electronic mail systems and coordinate the flow of information, internally or with other organizations.8% of time
  • Open, read, route, and distribute incoming mail or other materials and answer routine letters.3% of time
  • Complete forms in accordance with company procedures.3% of time
  • Maintain scheduling and event calendars.3% of time
  • Manage projects or contribute to committee or team work.3% of time
  • Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions.3% of time
  • Perform payroll functions, such as maintaining timekeeping information and processing and submitting payroll.3% of time
  • Locate and attach appropriate files to incoming correspondence requiring replies.1% of time
  • Review work done by others to check for correct spelling and grammar, ensure that company format policies are followed, and recommend revisions.1% of time
  • Learn to operate new office technologies as they are developed and implemented.1% of time
  • Mail newsletters, promotional material, or other information.1% of time
  • Prepare and mail checks.1% of time
  • Establish work procedures or schedules and keep track of the daily work of clerical staff.1% of time
  • Supervise other clerical staff and provide training and orientation to new staff.1% of time
  • Coordinate conferences, meetings, or special events, such as luncheons or graduation ceremonies.1% of time
  • Prepare conference or event materials, such as flyers or invitations.1% of time

Robots can technically do this3 · 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.

  • Make copies of correspondence or other printed material.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Order and dispense supplies.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Collect and deposit money into accounts, disburse funds from cash accounts to pay bills or invoices, keep records of collections and disbursements, and ensure accounts are balanced.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time

Still needs a person1 · 1% 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 and assist staff with computer usage.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 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 10 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 17 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 3 physical tasks 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.
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants90%Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants100%Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants86%Correspondence Clerks97%Customer Service Representatives97%Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs97%

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