Computer Research Scientists
Official O*NET title: Computer and Information Research Scientists (15-1221.00)
Also called: computer scientist, computer specialist, control system computer scientist, research scientist, scientific programmer analyst
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing computer research scientists work
8 of 11 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Red (lots of AI use) — 73%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Design computers and the software that runs them (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets — some recorded AI use
- Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to make sure availability to system users — no recorded AI use
- Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments — no recorded AI use
- Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers”. Try the prompt for: “Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and computer research scientists
Will AI replace computer research scientists?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 8 of the 11 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Red rating (lots of AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 6 of the 15 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which computer research scientist tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers; analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software; consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.
Which computer research scientist tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals; meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems; participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 59% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a computer research scientist start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Computer Research Scientists ranks #51 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #10 of 30 in Tech.
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