Physicists

Physicists score 75 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #34 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 15 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 7 on its own and 7 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 2 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

75/ 100

High

Rank: #34of 923 jobs
US workers: 20,430BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $172,250a year
In real AI use: 2 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: 7 (47%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 7 (47%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 1 (7%)

Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Write research proposals to receive funding.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Develop theories and laws on the basis of observation and experiments, and apply these theories and laws to problems in areas such as nuclear energy, optics, and aerospace technology.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Develop manufacturing, assembly, and fabrication processes of lasers, masers, infrared, and other light-emitting and light-sensitive devices.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Teach physics to students.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct research pertaining to potential environmental impacts of atomic energy-related industrial development to determine licensing qualifications.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Collaborate with other scientists in the design, development, and testing of experimental, industrial, or medical equipment, instrumentation, and procedures.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Develop standards of permissible concentrations of radioisotopes in liquids and gases.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Conduct application evaluations and analyze results to determine commercial, industrial, scientific, medical, military, or other uses for electro-optical devices.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Advise authorities of procedures to be followed in radiation incidents or hazards, and assist in civil defense planning.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Observe the structure and properties of matter, and the transformation and propagation of energy, using equipment such as masers, lasers, and telescopes, to explore and identify the basic principles governing these phenomena.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about physicists and AI

Will AI replace physicists?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Physicists score 75 out of 100 (high exposure), #34 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 14 of the job's 15 tasks, 7 of them on its own, while 1 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which physicists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers"; "Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms"; "Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood".

Which physicists tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Observe the structure and properties of matter, and the transformation and propagation of energy, using equipment such as masers, lasers, and telescopes, to explore and identify the basic principles governing these phenomena".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 2 of the 15 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as physicists, and what do they earn?

About 20,430 people in the US, with median pay of $172,250 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.