Mathematicians
Official O*NET title: Mathematicians (15-2021.00)
Also called: agent-based modeler, computational mathematician, computational scientist, cryptographer, cryptographic vulnerability analyst
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing mathematicians work
8 of 9 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Red (lots of AI use) — 89%. 2 newer tasks are not in the data yet and left out.
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
- Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Develop mathematical or statistical models of phenomena to be used for analysis or for computational simulation (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Share research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop computational methods for solving problems that occur in areas of science and engineering or that come from applications in business or industry (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Mentor others on mathematical techniques (main task) — too new for the AI data
- Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences of each set (main task) — too new for the AI data
- Apply mathematical theories and techniques to the solution of practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Design, analyze, and decipher encryption systems designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law-enforcement-related information in code — some 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: “Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols”. Try the prompt for: “Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science”.
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 mathematicians
Will AI replace mathematicians?
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 1 of the 12 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which mathematician tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols; develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science; conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas.
Which mathematician tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: apply mathematical theories and techniques to the solution of practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields. 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 99% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a mathematician 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
Mathematicians ranks #4 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #1 of 30 in Tech. It’s in our top 50 jobs most changed by AI.
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