Computer and Information Research Scientists
Machines can already do 52% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 76%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Computer and Information Research Scientists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 52% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 34% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 76% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 37,200 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $140,300 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 69% for contact with people.
- Also called: Computer Scientist, Computer Specialist, Control System Computer Scientist, Research Scientist.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software | 20% | 79% to 97% | |
| Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses | 18% | 35% to 65% | |
| Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers | 13% | 80% to 97% | |
| Design computers and the software that runs them | 10% | 35% to 65% | |
| Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics | 8% | 30% to 60% | |
| Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems | 5% | 25% to 55% | |
| Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues | 5% | 25% to 55% | |
| Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements | 5% | 70% to 90% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills computer and information research scientists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Computer Hardware Engineers71% of tasks by 2035 · US median $161,740
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects71% of tasks by 2035 · US median $116,580
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists75% of tasks by 2035 · US median $134,050
- Computer and Information Systems Managers65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $175,140
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of computer and information research scientists?
Machines can do 52% of the tasks of computer and information research scientists today and 76% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 15-1221.00 (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). Computer and Information Research Scientists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/computer-and-information-research-scientists/