Computer and Information Research Scientists

Computer and Information Research Scientists score 63 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #76 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 15 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 5 on its own and 8 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 8 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

63/ 100

High

Rank: #76of 923 jobs
US workers: 37,200BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $140,300a year
In real AI use: 8 of 15tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 5 (33%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 8 (53%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 2 (13%)

Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Design computers and the software that runs them.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about computer and information research scientists and AI

Will AI replace computer and information research scientists?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Computer and Information Research Scientists score 63 out of 100 (high exposure), #76 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 13 of the job's 15 tasks, 5 of them on its own, while 2 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which computer and information research scientists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software"; "Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses"; "Design computers and the software that runs them".

Which computer and information research scientists tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems"; "Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 8 of the 15 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as computer and information research scientists, and what do they earn?

About 37,200 people in the US, with median pay of $140,300 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.