Public Relations Specialists

Public Relations Specialists score 59 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #100 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 18 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 4 on its own and 13 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 10 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

59/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #100of 923 jobs
US workers: 283,380BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $74,750a year
In real AI use: 10 of 18tasks, 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: 4 (22%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 13 (72%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 1 (6%)

Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare or edit organizational publications, such as employee newsletters or stockholders' reports, for internal or external audiences.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare or deliver speeches to further public relations objectives.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Coach client representatives in effective communication with the public or with employees.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Study the objectives, promotional policies, or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas, products, or services.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, or exhibits for clients to increase product or service awareness or to promote goodwill.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Plan or conduct market or public opinion research to test products or determine potential for product success, communicating results to client or management.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop plans or materials to communicate organizational activities that are beneficial to the environment, public safety, or other important social issues.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Confer with production or support personnel to produce or coordinate production of advertisements or promotions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Consult with advertising agencies or staff to arrange promotional campaigns in all types of media for products, organizations, or individuals.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Coordinate public responses to environmental management incidents or conflicts.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Develop marketing campaigns for environmental technologies or services.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Purchase advertising space or time as required to promote client's product or agenda.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

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Questions about public relations specialists and AI

Will AI replace public relations specialists?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Public Relations Specialists score 59 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #100 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 17 of the job's 18 tasks, 4 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 public relations specialists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets"; "Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients"; "Prepare or edit organizational publications, such as employee newsletters or stockholders' reports, for internal or external audiences".

Which public relations specialists tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 10 of the 18 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as public relations specialists, and what do they earn?

About 283,380 people in the US, with median pay of $74,750 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.