Computer and Information Research Scientists
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
How AI Impacts Each Task
15 tasks analyzed
Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
Design computers and the software that runs them.
Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.
Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.
Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.
Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.
Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.
Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.
Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards.
Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software. | 59.6Observed | 50.8% | 15% | |
| Design computers and the software that runs them. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 10% | |
| Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals. | 39.9Observed | 65.2% | 5% | |
| Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues. | 28.12Observed | 38.3% | 8% | |
| Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses. | 73.45Observed | 56.4% | 15% | |
| Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements. | 63.73Observed | 40.5% | 8% | |
| Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users. | 77Estimated | 80.0% | 4% | |
| Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 6% | |
| Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers. | 52.12Observed | 47.9% | 12% | |
| Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 5% | |
| Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures. | 56.53Observed | 49.6% | 3% | |
| Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 2% | |
| Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards. | 55.65Observed | 49.3% | 2% | |
| Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Programming is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Computer and Information Research Scientists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate
by IBM
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Systems Thinking In Practice
by The Open University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsComputer Network Architects
32%Higher risk than 52% of other occupations
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
33%Median salary: $96,690
Higher risk than 57% of other occupations
Computer Systems Analysts
33%Higher risk than 57% of other occupations
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
34%Higher risk than 60% of other occupations
Database Administrators
35%Higher risk than 65% of other occupations
Operations Research Analysts
32%Median salary: $91,290
Higher risk than 51% of other occupations
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
34%Median salary: $117,960
Higher risk than 64% of other occupations
Software Developers, Applications
36%Higher risk than 67% of other occupations
Software Developers, Systems Software
35%Higher risk than 67% of other occupations
Statisticians
38%Median salary: $103,300
Higher risk than 75% of other occupations
Score History
Risk score over 3 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
Stock compensation gives Big Tech workers a powerful reason to stay. Layoffs and the AI boom are changing the equation.
Workers are increasingly willing to abandon vested shares to join AI startups or escape the constant threat of corporate downsizing. The traditional model of using lucrative stock options to retain top talent is fracturing.
Anthropic's Claude Now Handles 26% of the Company's AI Research Jobs
The AI startup revealed its own chatbot is now conducting over a quarter of its internal research and development. This milestone proves that even highly specialized machine learning engineers are seeing their core tasks automated by the systems they built.
PWC CEO Rejects AI Job Doom
McKinsey shifts hiring focus from MBAs to forward-deployed AI engineers
The consulting giant is actively recruiting technical talent over traditional business graduates to build and deploy advanced systems. This marks a fundamental shift in elite consulting toward hands-on engineering skills.
AI Models Are Now Automating Half of AI Development Jobs
Three major frontier AI labs confirm their models are now actively building newer models. The critical takeaway isn't just the automation percentage, but specifically which development tasks are being replaced by AI.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis