Chief Communications Officers
Machines can already do 32% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 54%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Chief Communications Officers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 32% of this job's tasks.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 54% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Contact with people: it scores 76% for contact with people.
- Also called: CCO (Chief Communications Officer), Communications Director, Head of Corporate Affairs, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop new business opportunities | 8% | 10% to 27% | |
| Identify main client groups and audiences, determine the best way to communicate publicity information to them, and develop and implement a communication plan | 8% | 78% to 97% | |
| Develop, implement, or maintain crisis communication plans | 7% | 35% to 65% | |
| Manage communications budgets | 7% | 10% to 27% | |
| Develop and maintain the company's corporate image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage | 7% | 74% to 94% | |
| Observe and report on social, economic, and political trends that might affect employers | 6% | 40% to 80% | |
| Formulate policies and procedures related to public information programs, working with public relations executives | 6% | 20% to 45% | |
| Direct activities of external agencies, establishments, or departments that develop and implement communication strategies and information programs | 6% | 10% to 27% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills chief communications officers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Chief Operating Officers50% of tasks by 2035
- Sales Managers48% of tasks by 2035 · US median $148,270
- Chief Legal Officers53% of tasks by 2035
- Chief Executives50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $213,990
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Chief Communications Officers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of chief communications officers?
Machines can do 32% of the tasks of chief communications officers today and 54% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 311-C939 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Chief Communications Officers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/chief-communications-officers/