The Future of Work: A Deep Dive into AI’s Impact on 40 Key Professions
The rise of generative AI has ushered in a new era of technological change, sparking widespread debate about its potential effects on the global economy and, more specifically, on the workforce. A recent study, “Working with AI: Measuring the Occupational Implications of Generative AI,” provides a fascinating look into this very question by analyzing how people are actually using AI in real-world contexts. The research, conducted by Microsoft Research, is based on an analysis of 200,000 anonymized conversations between users and Microsoft Bing Copilot over a nine-month period in 2024. By examining the “user goals” (what people want to accomplish with AI) and “AI actions” (what the AI actually does), the researchers were able to compute an “AI applicability score” for various occupations. This score is a comprehensive metric that assesses whether AI is being used successfully and broadly for the work activities that define a particular job.
This study finds that the highest AI applicability scores are for “knowledge work” occupations, which are jobs that deal with ideas and information rather than physical goods or services. These jobs often involve non-routine, creative problem-solving. Occupations with high scores are also heavily concentrated in communication-focused fields, such as sales, computer and mathematical roles, office and administrative support, and arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media. In contrast, jobs requiring extensive physical activity, operating machinery, or other forms of manual labor have the lowest scores.
A key finding from this research is the distinction between AI as an “augmenting” force and AI as an “automating” force. The paper points out that this is not a simple dichotomy. While AI can improve productivity and assist with tasks, the long-term business decisions’97such as whether to hire more or fewer employees’97are complex and unpredictable. The study’s focus is on measuring the overlap between AI capabilities and work activities, not on predicting the ultimate economic outcome for each job. As the authors note, historically, new technologies like ATMs have automated core tasks for bank tellers, yet led to an increase in their jobs as their roles evolved to focus on new tasks. The purpose of this analysis is to show which jobs have a high potential for impact, indicating a need for adaptation and a reshaping of roles.
The following list details the top 40 occupations with the highest AI applicability scores, as identified by the study. For each profession, we will explore the core work activities that are most susceptible to AI’s influence, drawing from the study’s findings on user goals and AI actions. These explanations are based on the premise that AI is most effective at performing activities related to information gathering, writing, and communication. The AI itself often takes on a service role, acting as a coach, advisor, or teacher by gathering and explaining information.
The Top 40 Jobs Impacted by AI
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Interpreters and Translators
Why this job is at risk:
This occupation sits at the very top of the list with a nearly perfect coverage score of 98%. Interpreters and Translators deal exclusively with language and communication, which are areas where generative AI excels. The AI can act as a direct substitute for tasks like translating documents, interpreting spoken language, and preparing bilingual or multilingual materials. The study found that AI is highly successful at writing, editing, and communicating information, which are the core functions of this profession. The high completion and scope rates for these tasks mean that AI can perform a large fraction of the work, posing a significant risk of automation for this role. -
Historians
Why this job is at risk:
Historians are deeply involved in information gathering, research, and writing. The study found that “gathering information from various sources” is one of the most common user goals in AI interactions. AI is also highly effective at “editing written materials or documents” and “writing artistic/commercial material”. A historian’s work activities, such as researching historical events, analyzing primary sources, and writing scholarly articles or books, are all areas where AI can provide significant assistance or even perform the tasks directly. The high applicability score (0.48) and high coverage (91%) reflect this alignment. -
Passenger Attendants
Why this job is at risk:
While this might seem counterintuitive for a job involving direct human interaction, Passenger Attendants spend a considerable amount of time performing administrative and informational tasks. The AI applicability score is high because the work activities associated with this role, such as providing information to passengers, responding to inquiries, and assisting with resources, are a perfect match for AI’s capabilities. The study found that AI actions often fall into the “service role,” where the AI provides general assistance and information to others. These tasks can be offloaded to an AI system, allowing for greater efficiency and potentially reducing the need for human staff. -
Sales Representatives of Services
Why this job is at risk:
This is a very large occupational group, and the study found it to be highly impacted. The core of this job is communicating with people outside the organization, providing information, and responding to inquiries. The study highlights that AI excels at these exact tasks, with “communicating with people outside the organization” being a highly frequent work activity in AI usage. AI can prepare informational materials, explain product details, and provide consultation and advice. These AI actions can augment a sales representative’s productivity, but they also have the potential to automate many of the initial contact and information-providing stages of the sales process. -
Writers and Authors
Why this job is at risk:
Like Interpreters and Translators, the core function of a Writer or Author is creation and communication through text. The study explicitly states that “writing, editing, or developing content” is one of the three main categories of work activities most common as a user goal in AI conversations. The AI is also frequently an “AI action,” writing artistic or commercial material. The high coverage, completion rate, and scope scores for this job reflect the fact that AI can generate, edit, and proofread content, which are the fundamental tasks of a writer. -
Customer Service Representatives
Why this job is at risk:
This is another very large occupational group that is highly impacted by AI. The study found that “responding to customer problems or inquiries” is a top-five IWA (Intermediate Work Activity) in AI actions. AI frequently plays a service role, providing information, assistance, and advice to clients and customers. The prevalence of chatbots and automated systems in customer service today is a direct reflection of AI’s capability to handle a wide range of customer interactions, from providing general assistance to explaining technical details and regulations. This ability to handle informational and communication-based tasks makes this occupation highly susceptible to AI’s influence. -
CNC Tool Programmers
Why this job is at risk:
A CNC Tool Programmer’92s job involves writing code to control machines. The study notes that one IWA describes all programming work activities: “Program computer systems or production equipment”. AI is highly effective at assisting and performing computer-related tasks, including writing and debugging code. The high applicability score for this job reflects AI’s ability to generate and optimize programming instructions, which is a core part of the programmer’s role. The AI can help with a large fraction of the programming work, making this a highly impacted profession. -
Telephone Operators
Why this job is at risk:
This job is fundamentally about communication and information provision. The study shows that “providing information to clients/customers” and “providing general assistance to others” are among the most frequent AI actions. AI systems can be programmed to respond to inquiries, provide information, and route calls based on natural language processing. This capability to act as a virtual assistant or a front-line informational resource directly overlaps with the primary functions of a human telephone operator, leading to a high applicability score. -
Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
Why this job is at risk:
This role involves a high volume of communication and administrative support. The work activities often include “responding to customer problems or inquiries,” “providing information to clients/customers,” and “operating computers”. AI is highly successful at these tasks, with “responding to customer problems or inquiries” and “providing information to clients/customers” being among the most common AI actions. AI-powered booking systems, automated customer service, and digital concierge services can handle a significant portion of a ticket agent’s responsibilities, from booking to providing travel-related information. -
Broadcast Announcers and Radio DJs
Why this job is at risk:
While this is a creative and performance-oriented job, a significant part of the work involves creating content, researching information, and communicating with an audience. The study identifies “developing news/entertainment/artistic content” as both a common user goal and an AI action. AI can be used to write scripts, select music, generate ad copy, and even produce synthetic voices, which can be a direct substitute for some of the core tasks of a broadcast announcer. The high applicability score reflects the overlap between AI’s creative content generation abilities and the job’s functions. -
Brokerage Clerks
Why this job is at risk:
Brokerage clerks handle a great deal of information processing and administrative work. Their work activities include “obtaining information about goods or services,” “processing digital or online data,” and “explaining regulations/policies/procedures”. The study’s findings show that AI is very capable of performing these tasks, with a high degree of success in information gathering and explanation. AI can be used to analyze market data, generate reports, and explain complex financial regulations, automating a significant portion of a clerk’s daily tasks. -
Farm and Home Management Educators
Why this job is at risk:
This role involves a heavy focus on education, advising, and providing information. The study highlights that AI frequently acts as a “coach, advisor, or teacher that gathers information and explains it to the user”. AI actions like “teach academic or vocational subjects,” “advise others on products/services,” and “provide informational/instructional materials” are highly prevalent. These capabilities directly align with the core functions of an educator in this field, making the profession highly susceptible to AI’s influence. -
Telemarketers
Why this job is at risk:
This job is a prime example of a communication-intensive role that is easily impacted by AI. The core activities involve “selling or influencing others,” “providing information to clients/customers,” and “responding to customer problems or inquiries”. AI can be used to generate scripts, handle automated calls, and even engage in dynamic conversations with potential customers. The study found that “providing information to clients/customers” is a common AI action. This direct overlap of functions explains the high AI applicability score. -
Concierges
Why this job is at risk:
Concierges primarily provide information and assistance to clients. The study found that “provide info/assistance to the public” and “provide general assistance to others” are highly common AI actions. AI-powered systems can provide recommendations for restaurants and events, make reservations, and answer general inquiries, which are the main tasks of a human concierge. This high degree of overlap with AI’s service-oriented capabilities puts the profession at high risk. -
Political Scientists
Why this job is at risk:
This is a knowledge-intensive profession that relies on research, analysis, and communication. The study found that work activities like “analyzing data or information,” “research historical/social issues,” and “developing news/entertainment/artistic content” are common user goals and AI actions. AI can assist with gathering and interpreting large datasets, summarizing research papers, and even drafting reports or articles. The high applicability score reflects the fact that a significant portion of a political scientist’s work can be either augmented or performed by AI. -
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
Why this job is at risk:
The primary functions of this job’97gathering information, interpreting it, and writing about it’97are among the most common user goals and AI actions in the study. The study explicitly mentions that AI is used for “gathering information from various sources” and “writing artistic/commercial material”. AI can summarize news, write articles, and assist with research, leading to a high applicability score. While the human element of on-the-ground reporting is still crucial, a significant portion of the editorial and writing work is at risk of being automated or heavily augmented. -
Mathematicians
Why this job is at risk:
The study found that “computer and mathematical” is one of the occupational groups with the highest AI applicability scores. While the tasks of a mathematician are highly abstract and complex, they involve extensive data analysis, problem-solving, and writing proofs or reports. AI systems are capable of advanced data analysis and can assist in “making decisions and solving problems”. The high coverage and applicability score reflect that a large fraction of the work can be aided by AI, from formulating hypotheses to processing complex calculations. -
Technical Writers
Why this job is at risk:
This is another job that is directly tied to the creation of written content, and it is ranked high on the list. The study’92s findings show that “writing, editing, or developing content” is one of the most common user goals. AI can be used to generate user manuals, technical documentation, and other written materials. The high applicability score is a direct result of AI’92s proficiency in generating and editing text, which is the core of this profession. -
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
Why this job is at risk:
The work of a proofreader is almost entirely based on “editing written materials or documents,” which the study identifies as a common user goal. AI is highly effective at this task, with high completion rates and the ability to have a broad impact on the work. AI-powered grammar and spell-checking tools are already widespread, and generative AI can perform even more complex edits and content improvements, making the traditional role of a human proofreader highly susceptible to automation. -
Hosts and Hostesses
Why this job is at risk:
Similar to Passenger Attendants and Concierges, this job involves a lot of direct interaction but is highly focused on providing information and assistance. The study found that “providing information to clients/customers” and “providing general assistance to others” are common AI actions. AI systems can manage reservations, answer inquiries, and provide information to guests, which are the main tasks of a host. The high applicability score reflects the fact that a large portion of these informational and administrative duties can be handled by AI. -
Editors
Why this job is at risk:
This job is intrinsically linked to the “writing, editing, or developing content” work activities identified in the study. The study’s analysis of AI’s capabilities in editing documents and materials and a high completion rate for these tasks demonstrates a clear overlap. AI can assist with fact-checking, content refinement, and structural editing, which are all central to an editor’s role. The high applicability score reflects this direct alignment between AI capabilities and job functions. -
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Why this job is at risk:
As with Farm and Home Management Educators, this job is based on advising, teaching, and preparing informational materials. The study points to AI’s ability to “teach academic or vocational subjects,” “prepare informational/instructional materials,” and “provide support or encouragement to others” as common AI actions. AI can create lesson plans, provide personalized feedback, and generate educational content, which are all key parts of a teacher’s job. While the human element in teaching is still important, the high applicability score indicates that many tasks can be automated. -
Public Relations Specialists
Why this job is at risk:
PR specialists are communication-focused professionals who “develop news/entertainment/artistic content” and “provide information to clients/customers”. The study found that AI is highly capable of performing these tasks. AI can be used to draft press releases, social media content, and communication strategies. The high completion rate and scope for these tasks mean that a significant portion of a PR specialist’s work can be either augmented or performed by AI, which leads to a high applicability score. -
Demonstrators and Product Promoters
Why this job is at risk:
This job is a hybrid of sales and communication. The work activities include “providing information to clients/customers” and “promoting products, services, or programs”. AI can generate persuasive marketing copy, create promotional materials, and even engage in scripted conversations to promote products. The study’92s findings on AI’s ability to “explain technical details of products/services” and “provide information to clients/customers” directly correspond to the functions of this job. -
Advertising Sales Agents
Why this job is at risk:
Advertising sales agents are primarily focused on communication, sales, and providing information to clients. Their work activities align with “promoting products, services, or programs” and “providing information to clients/customers”. AI can be used to generate advertising content, identify target audiences, and even automate parts of the sales process. The high applicability score is a result of the overlap between the job’s functions and AI’s capabilities in communication and content generation. -
New Accounts Clerks
Why this job is at risk:
This is an administrative support role that is heavily based on information processing and communication. The work activities include “processing digital or online data,” “obtaining information about goods or services,” and “responding to customer problems or inquiries”. AI can be used to automate data entry, process applications, and answer a wide range of customer inquiries. The study’92s high scores for administrative support occupations and for these specific tasks reflect the significant potential for AI to influence this job. -
Statistical Assistants
Why this job is at risk:
This job is fundamentally about “analyzing data or information,” a task where AI excels. The study found that “analyzing data or information” is a common user goal. AI can assist with statistical analysis, data cleaning, and generating reports, which are the core functions of a statistical assistant. The high applicability score is a result of the direct overlap between the job’s tasks and AI’s data-processing capabilities. -
Counter and Rental Clerks
Why this job is at risk:
The work of a counter clerk is centered on communication, customer service, and administrative tasks. The study found that AI is effective at “providing information to clients/customers,” “responding to customer problems or inquiries,” and “providing general assistance to others”. AI-powered systems can handle booking, reservations, and answering questions, which are the primary tasks of this job. The high applicability score reflects the potential for AI to automate or augment these functions. -
Data Scientists
Why this job is at risk:
This might seem surprising, as Data Scientists are at the forefront of the AI revolution, but the study places them high on the list of impacted jobs. Their core work activities, like “analyzing data or information” and “operating computers,” are highly susceptible to AI influence. AI can be used to automate parts of the data analysis pipeline, from cleaning data to building models and generating reports. The high applicability score reflects that a significant portion of a data scientist’s work can be either augmented or performed by AI, potentially shifting the role’s focus to more strategic, higher-level tasks. -
Personal Financial Advisors
Why this job is at risk:
Financial advisors primarily provide consultation and advice to clients. The study identifies “providing consultation and advice to others” as a common user goal. AI can analyze financial data, provide investment recommendations, and help with financial planning. The high applicability score reflects AI’s ability to act as an advisor by processing information and providing data-driven recommendations, which are core functions of this job. -
Archivists
Why this job is at risk:
Archivists are focused on collecting, organizing, and preserving information. The study found that “organizing, planning, and prioritizing work” and “processing information” are common user goals and AI actions. AI systems can be used to digitize documents, organize data, and create detailed indexes, which are the key tasks of an archivist. The high applicability score is a result of the overlap between these tasks and AI’s information-processing capabilities. -
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Why this job is at risk:
Similar to other teaching roles on this list, this job involves a heavy focus on preparing informational materials, teaching, and advising students. The study found that AI is capable of “teach academic or vocational subjects,” “prepare informational/instructional materials,” and “provide support or encouragement to others”. AI can be used to generate lecture content, grade assignments, and provide personalized tutoring, which are key tasks of a professor. The high applicability score reflects the potential for AI to automate many of the administrative and instructional tasks. -
Web Developers
Why this job is at risk:
The work of a web developer is highly focused on “program computer systems or production equipment,” which is a task where AI excels. The study highlights that AI can be used for software development and programming. AI can generate code, debug programs, and assist with website design and maintenance. The high applicability score for this job is a direct result of AI’92s proficiency in coding and computer-related tasks, making it a highly impacted profession. -
Management Analysts
Why this job is at risk:
This job is knowledge-intensive and involves extensive data analysis, problem-solving, and communication. The study found that “analyzing data or information” and “making decisions and solving problems” are common user goals. AI can be used to analyze business data, identify trends, and generate strategic recommendations. The high applicability score reflects the potential for AI to automate a significant portion of the research and analysis that a management analyst performs. -
Geographers
Why this job is at risk:
Geographers are focused on data analysis, research, and communication. The study found that “analyzing data or information” and “research historical/social issues” are common user goals. AI can be used to process geographic information systems (GIS) data, analyze satellite imagery, and generate reports. The high applicability score for this job is a result of the direct overlap between its core functions and AI’92s capabilities in data analysis and research. -
Models
Why this job is at risk:
While this is a creative and physical job, a significant part of the work involves tasks that can be influenced by AI. The study found that “create artistic designs/performances” is a common user goal and AI action. AI can generate synthetic images and videos, which can serve as a substitute for human models in advertising and media. The high applicability score reflects the fact that AI can create visual content, which is a key part of this profession. -
Market Research Analysts
Why this job is at risk:
This is another data-intensive job that is highly impacted by AI. The work activities include “analyzing data or information,” “obtaining information about goods or services,” and “interpreting the meaning of information for others”. AI can be used to analyze market trends, process consumer data, and generate reports. The high applicability score is a result of the strong alignment between the job’s functions and AI’s data analysis and information-processing capabilities. -
Public Safety Telecommunicators
Why this job is at risk:
This job is a form of customer service and information provision, but in a high-stakes environment. The work activities include “responding to customer problems or inquiries” and “providing information to clients/customers”. While the human element is crucial for handling emergencies, AI can be used to triage calls, provide initial information, and manage administrative tasks, leading to a high applicability score. -
Switchboard Operators
Why this job is at risk:
This job is a form of administrative support that is centered on communication. The study found that “providing information to clients/customers” and “providing general assistance to others” are common AI actions. AI systems can be used to automate call routing and provide automated responses to inquiries, which are the main tasks of this job. The high applicability score is a result of the overlap between the job’s functions and AI’92s capabilities in communication and information provision. -
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Why this job is at risk:
As with other teaching roles, this job is based on preparing informational materials, teaching, and advising students. The study highlights that AI can be used to “teach academic or vocational subjects,” “prepare informational/instructional materials,” and “provide support or encouragement to others”. AI can generate lesson plans, assist with research, and provide personalized feedback, which are all key tasks of a professor in this field. The high applicability score reflects the potential for AI to automate many of the administrative and instructional tasks.
Conclusion
The findings from the study on “Working with AI” reveal a clear picture of which jobs are most likely to be impacted by the rapid adoption of generative AI. Unsurprisingly, professions that are heavily reliant on knowledge work, information processing, and communication are at the highest risk. The study’s “AI applicability score” provides a robust framework for understanding the potential for impact by analyzing the overlap between a job’s work activities and what AI is demonstrably good at’97specifically, gathering and interpreting information, writing, and providing service-oriented assistance.
While the study does not predict the ultimate outcome’97whether jobs will be automated or augmented’97it provides a crucial snapshot of the current state of AI’s capabilities and how they are being applied in the real world. The high applicability scores for these 40 professions should not be seen as a death knell, but rather as a signal for change and adaptation. As the authors of the study note, new technologies often lead to the creation of new occupations and a restructuring of old ones. For these jobs, the future will likely involve a transformation of roles, where AI handles the routine, information-based tasks, and humans focus on the more complex, creative, and interpersonal aspects of their work. The challenge for individuals and organizations alike will be to navigate this “jagged technological frontier” and leverage AI as a tool for growth and innovation, rather than viewing it solely as a threat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of the Microsoft Research study on AI and jobs?
- The study aims to analyze how generative AI is being used in real-world work scenarios and measure its potential impact on different occupations.
- How many occupations were analyzed in the study?
- The study highlights 40 key professions that are most likely to be impacted by generative AI.
- What is an AI applicability score?
- It is a metric that reflects how suitable a profession is for AI to assist or automate key job functions.
- Which jobs are most affected by generative AI?
- Jobs involving knowledge work, writing, communication, and information processing, such as translators, writers, and customer service reps.
- What types of jobs have the highest AI applicability scores?
- Professions like interpreters, historians, technical writers, and customer service representatives have the highest scores.
- Are creative jobs at risk due to AI?
- Yes, especially those involving written or spoken content creation, such as authors, journalists, and broadcast announcers.
- How does AI affect manual labor jobs?
- Manual labor jobs tend to have the lowest AI applicability scores due to the physical nature of their tasks.
- Is AI more likely to augment or replace jobs?
- The study suggests AI will augment many roles but could automate routine tasks, shifting job responsibilities.
- How was the research conducted?
- The study analyzed 200,000 anonymized interactions with Bing Copilot over nine months in 2024.
- What are ‘user goals’ and ‘AI actions’ in the study?
- User goals are what people aim to accomplish with AI, and AI actions are what the AI actually does in response.
- Why are customer service roles vulnerable to AI?
- These roles rely heavily on communication and information delivery—tasks AI handles well.
- Can AI be used to write code?
- Yes, AI has been shown to effectively assist in programming tasks like writing and debugging code.
- What’s the risk level for data scientists?
- High, since their work involves data analysis and automation—areas where AI excels.
- Will AI eliminate jobs entirely?
- Not necessarily; it may lead to job transformation rather than elimination, with a shift toward strategic tasks.
- How can workers prepare for AI changes?
- By adapting and learning new skills that complement AI rather than compete with it.
- Are teachers at risk of being replaced by AI?
- Teaching roles are susceptible to automation of instructional and grading tasks but not full replacement.
- What are some communication-heavy roles impacted by AI?
- Sales reps, public relations specialists, telemarketers, and announcers are all at high risk.
- Can AI replace translators?
- AI has a very high capability in language translation and document preparation, posing significant automation risk.
- What professions are least likely to be impacted by AI?
- Jobs requiring physical labor, emotional intelligence, or hands-on care tend to be less affected.
- Is AI used for statistical analysis?
- Yes, AI can assist in data cleaning, report generation, and trend identification for statistical roles.
- How are editors and proofreaders affected by AI?
- AI excels at grammar correction, rewriting, and content refinement, affecting both roles heavily.
- Can AI generate marketing content?
- Yes, AI can create persuasive ad copy, promotional material, and social media content.
- What’s the role of AI in educational content creation?
- AI can generate lesson plans, instructional material, and provide student feedback.
- Does AI affect concierge and service roles?
- Yes, many of their informational and booking tasks can be automated using AI.
- How is AI being used in journalism?
- AI can summarize stories, draft articles, and assist in research, reducing manual workload.
- What’s the implication for telecommunication roles?
- Call routing and general information tasks handled by AI reduce the need for human operators.
- Will AI lead to job creation?
- It’s likely that new roles will emerge as others are transformed or phased out.
- Why are geographers and analysts impacted?
- These roles rely on interpreting data, which AI can now do efficiently at scale.
- Can AI act as a teacher or coach?
- Yes, AI can guide users through processes, offer advice, and explain information contextually.
- What’s the overall takeaway from the study?
- AI is transforming how work is done; professions must adapt by focusing on creativity, strategy, and interpersonal strengths.