Can AI Replace Operations Research Analysts in 2026?

Moderate exposure. AI could handle about 84% of today's operations research analysts tasks by 2036, and there is a 47% chance the number of jobs falls by a fifth or more. AI is likely to take over many tasks outright.

See how not to be replaced

Timeline

Year2030

Tasks AI can do

46%

Headcount (2025 = 100)

Chance of 20%+ fewer jobs

16% 2030 · 47% 2036

One person could cover, 2036

3.1 roles

Share of today's tasks AI can perform

Headcount index, 2025 = 100 (dashed line)

Your survival map

Not every part of your job is at the same risk. Tap a number to see what to do about each task.

Your human coreDo it with AIHand to AI

Tap a number on the map or a task below.

Lower-risk jobs that use similar skills

Mathematicians25% risk by 2036 Computer Systems Analysts34% risk by 2036 Software Developers28% risk by 2036

Your plan

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Try an AI tool on one task you'd normally do by hand: "Break systems into their components, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them".Learn one AI tool well enough to show it in an interview, for: "Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes".Take on work where you sign off, decide or carry responsibility: that part stays human.Rewrite the top of your CV around judgment, people and decisions, not routine output.Read about a lower-risk move: Mathematicians.

Lower-risk jobs with similar tasks

Mathematicians — 25% chance of contraction by 2036
Computer Systems Analysts — 34% chance of contraction by 2036
Software Developers — 28% chance of contraction by 2036

Similar occupations

Data Scientists · Statisticians · Management Analysts · Industrial Engineers

Based on 16 O*NET tasks for "Operations Research Analysts" (SOC 15-2031.00). LLM alone: 26% of tasks; with AI tools: 100%. Projections are a model, not official statistics. How we calculate this · Data version 2026-10