Instructional Designers and Technologists
Develop instructional materials and products and assist in the technology-based redesign of courses. Assist faculty in learning about, becoming proficient in, and applying instructional technology.
AI Impact Summary
Instructional Designers and Technologists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 33/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 56% of all analyzed occupations. Of 23 analyzed tasks, 1 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 Reading Comprehension 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.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming 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.
Instructing 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.
Service Orientation 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.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Instructional Designers and Technologists 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
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Foundations of Teaching for Learning
by Commonwealth Education Trust
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
23 tasks analyzed
Present and make recommendations regarding course design, technology, and instruction delivery options.
Define instructional, learning, or performance objectives.
Develop instructional materials and products for technology-based redesign of courses.
Design learning products, including web-based aids or electronic performance support systems.
Interview subject matter experts or conduct other research to develop instructional content.
Provide analytical support for the design and development of training curricula, learning strategies, educational policies, or courseware standards.
Design instructional aids for stand-alone or instructor-led classroom or online use.
Conduct needs assessments and strategic learning assessments to develop the basis for curriculum development or to update curricula.
Assess effectiveness and efficiency of instruction according to ease of instructional technology use and student learning, knowledge transfer, and satisfaction.
Develop instructional materials, such as lesson plans, handouts, or examinations.
Develop measurement tools to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction or training interventions.
Develop instruction or training roadmaps for online and blended learning programs.
Adapt instructional content or delivery methods for different levels or types of learners.
Analyze performance data to determine effectiveness of instructional systems, courses, or instructional materials.
Research and evaluate emerging instructional technologies or methods.
Edit instructional materials, such as books, simulation exercises, lesson plans, instructor guides, and tests.
Recommend instructional methods, such as individual or group instruction, self-study, lectures, demonstrations, simulation exercises, and role-playing, appropriate for content and learner characteristics.
Teach instructors to use instructional technology or to integrate technology with teaching.
Recommend changes to curricula or delivery methods, based on information such as instructional effectiveness data, current or future performance requirements, feasibility, and costs.
Provide technical advice on the use of current instructional technologies, including computer-based training, desktop videoconferencing, multimedia, and distance learning technologies.
Observe and provide feedback on instructional techniques, presentation methods, or instructional aids.
Develop master course documentation or manuals according to applicable accreditation, certification, or other requirements.
Provide technical support to clients in the implementation of designed instruction or in task analyses and instructional systems design.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present and make recommendations regarding course design, technology, and instruction delivery options. | 60.22Observed | 39.1% | 5% | |
| Define instructional, learning, or performance objectives. | 66.05Observed | 53.4% | 5% | |
| Develop instructional materials and products for technology-based redesign of courses. | 55.5Observed | 49.2% | 8% | |
| Design learning products, including web-based aids or electronic performance support systems. | 57.93Observed | 50.2% | 8% | |
| Interview subject matter experts or conduct other research to develop instructional content. | 40Estimated | 31.0% | 6% | |
| Provide analytical support for the design and development of training curricula, learning strategies, educational policies, or courseware standards. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 4% | |
| Design instructional aids for stand-alone or instructor-led classroom or online use. | 54.75Observed | 48.9% | 6% | |
| Conduct needs assessments and strategic learning assessments to develop the basis for curriculum development or to update curricula. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Assess effectiveness and efficiency of instruction according to ease of instructional technology use and student learning, knowledge transfer, and satisfaction. | 42.12Observed | 43.9% | 4% | |
| Develop instructional materials, such as lesson plans, handouts, or examinations. | 61.5Observed | 51.6% | 6% | |
| Develop measurement tools to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction or training interventions. | 67.97Observed | 54.2% | 3% | |
| Develop instruction or training roadmaps for online and blended learning programs. | 72.88Observed | 56.2% | 3% | |
| Adapt instructional content or delivery methods for different levels or types of learners. | 51.23Observed | 47.5% | 4% | |
| Analyze performance data to determine effectiveness of instructional systems, courses, or instructional materials. | 46.38Observed | 45.6% | 4% | |
| Research and evaluate emerging instructional technologies or methods. | 50Observed | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Edit instructional materials, such as books, simulation exercises, lesson plans, instructor guides, and tests. | 50.1Observed | 69.2% | 5% | |
| Recommend instructional methods, such as individual or group instruction, self-study, lectures, demonstrations, simulation exercises, and role-playing, appropriate for content and learner characteristics. | 71.25Observed | 55.5% | 3% | |
| Teach instructors to use instructional technology or to integrate technology with teaching. | 61.95Observed | 39.8% | 4% | |
| Recommend changes to curricula or delivery methods, based on information such as instructional effectiveness data, current or future performance requirements, feasibility, and costs. | 63.22Observed | 52.3% | 3% | |
| Provide technical advice on the use of current instructional technologies, including computer-based training, desktop videoconferencing, multimedia, and distance learning technologies. | 60.75Observed | 39.3% | 3% | |
| Observe and provide feedback on instructional techniques, presentation methods, or instructional aids. | 63.55Observed | 40.4% | 3% | |
| Develop master course documentation or manuals according to applicable accreditation, certification, or other requirements. | 60Observed | 73.2% | 3% | |
| Provide technical support to clients in the implementation of designed instruction or in task analyses and instructional systems design. | 50.25Observed | 35.1% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 32.5%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$74,720
per year
Mean Wage
$77,600
per year
Employment
211K
workers
Wage Range
$46,560 - $115,410
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Instructional Designers and Technologists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension 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.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
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.
- Instructing
Instructing 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.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring 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.
- 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 2 scoring runs
overall change