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.
AI Impact Summary
Computer and Information Research Scientists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 32/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 53% of all analyzed occupations. Of 15 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
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.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
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.
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
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% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 32.6%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Programming
High reliance on Programming is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 3 scoring runs
overall change
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