Trend Forecasters
Machines can already do 42% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 72%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Trend Forecasters in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 42% of this job's tasks.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2029, and 72% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Contact with people: it scores 61% for contact with people.
- Also called: Trend Researcher, Trend Analyst, Consumer Trend Forecaster, Cultural Insights Analyst.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research consumer, cultural, design and lifestyle change through observation, data and interviews | 18% | 45% to 75% | |
| Analyse sales, social media, search and survey data to spot shifts in behaviour | 15% | 60% to 90% | |
| Forecast trends and their likely timing, scale and spread | 14% | 42% to 75% | |
| Create trend reports, mood boards and presentations for clients and product teams | 14% | 38% to 70% | |
| Advise brands and designers on products, styles and messages | 12% | 30% to 60% | |
| Visit events, shows, cities and shops to observe trends first hand | 8% | 32% to 65% | |
| Build networks of trend spotters and experts | 7% | 10% to 30% | |
| Track whether past forecasts came true and refine methods | 6% | 45% to 80% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills trend forecasters use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much trend forecasters rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.
- Go-to problem solver7/10
- Trust and reliability6/10
- Know-how about the organisation6/10
- Network and relationships7/10
- Mentoring and developing others3/10
- Culture and morale5/10
- Initiative beyond the role7/10
- Calm in a crisis6/10
- Bridge between teams6/10
- Reputation and influence7/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Producers and Directors56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $90,360
- Chief Product Officers63% of tasks by 2035
- Chief Digital Officers69% of tasks by 2035
- Chief Marketing Officers71% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Trend Forecasters?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2029. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of trend forecasters?
Machines can do 42% of the tasks of trend forecasters today and 72% 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-F951 (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, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Trend Forecasters: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/trend-forecasters/