JOB REPORT / 15-2051 · 54 TASKS

Data Scientists.

Can AI do the work of Data Scientists?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

Drag the dot. There’s no wrong answer; it starts at our estimate.

Starting pointOur estimate

The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using…
Create graphs, charts, or other visualizations to convey…
Identify relationships and trends or any factors that could…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Data Scientists work. It covers the 54 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

54 of 54 tasks reviewed

We went through all 54 core tasks in this job, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Data Scientists actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
AI DOES
Writes statistical code, suggests models, explains output, and flags data issues
YOU DO
Choose the right question to ask and judge whether results make real-world sense
TASK 02
Create graphs, charts, or other visualizations to convey the results of data analysis using specialized software.
AI DOES
Suggests chart types, writes plotting code, and drafts layouts from data
YOU DO
Decide which insight matters most and design visuals that land with your specific audience
TASK 03
Identify relationships and trends or any factors that could affect the results of research.
AI DOES
Scans data for correlations, outliers, and trends using statistical models and visualizations
YOU DO
Judge which patterns are meaningful, not just mathematical, and spot confounding factors AI might miss
TASK 04
Write new functions or applications in programming languages to conduct analyses.
AI DOES
Drafts functions, suggests algorithms, and auto-completes code blocks
YOU DO
Decide what question to answer and verify the code does it correctly
TASK 05
Identify or monitor current and potential customers, using business intelligence tools.
AI DOES
Scans customer data, finds patterns, scores leads, and surfaces trends automatically
YOU DO
Judge which insights actually matter for your specific business goals
TASK 06
Apply feature selection algorithms to models predicting outcomes of interest, such as sales, attrition, and healthcare use.
AI DOES
Runs filter, wrapper, and embedded feature selection methods and ranks variables by importance
YOU DO
Decide which features are meaningful for the business problem and flag ones that look good statistically but don't make real-world sense
TASK 07
Clean and manipulate raw data using statistical software.
AI DOES
Writes cleaning scripts, flags outliers, and suggests transformations
YOU DO
Decide what 'clean' means for your specific problem and data context
TASK 08
Compare models using statistical performance metrics, such as loss functions or proportion of explained variance.
AI DOES
Calculates loss functions, R-squared, and other metrics, then summarizes model comparisons in tables or charts
YOU DO
Choose which metrics fit the real-world goal and judge whether the numbers actually mean the model is ready to use
TASK 09
Design surveys, opinion polls, or other instruments to collect data.
AI DOES
Drafts survey questions, suggests answer scales, and flags common bias patterns
YOU DO
Match questions to real research goals and know your specific audience
TASK 10
Read scientific articles, conference papers, or other sources of research to identify emerging analytic trends and technologies.
AI DOES
Summarizes papers, extracts key themes, and flags recurring new methods across dozens of sources fast
YOU DO
Decide which trends are worth pursuing based on your team's real needs and context
TASK 11
Test, validate, and reformulate models to ensure accurate prediction of outcomes of interest.
AI DOES
Runs validation checks, generates test metrics, and suggests reformulations automatically
YOU DO
Judge whether model logic fits the real business question and catch hidden biases
TASK 12
Generate data queries, based on validation checks or errors and omissions identified during data entry, to resolve identified problems.
AI DOES
Scans datasets, detects rule violations, and drafts standard query language
YOU DO
Decide which errors matter clinically and approve queries before they go to sites
TASK 13
Document specifications for business intelligence or information technology reports, dashboards, or other outputs.
AI DOES
Drafts report specs, suggests field definitions, and formats documentation templates
YOU DO
Confirm the specs match real business goals and stakeholder expectations
TASK 14
Write work instruction manuals, data capture guidelines, or standard operating procedures.
AI DOES
Drafts templates, organizes sections, and suggests standard regulatory language
YOU DO
Verify clinical accuracy and tailor procedures to your specific study and regulations
TASK 15
Apply sampling techniques to determine groups to be surveyed or use complete enumeration methods.
AI DOES
Runs stratified, random, and cluster sampling calculations and flags trade-offs between methods
YOU DO
Decide which sampling approach fits the real-world context and research goals
TASK 16
Identify business problems or management objectives that can be addressed through data analysis.
AI DOES
Surfaces common problem types, suggests relevant frameworks, and drafts problem statements from prompts
YOU DO
Talk to stakeholders, read the room, and judge which problems actually matter to the business
TASK 17
Identify solutions to business problems, such as budgeting, staffing, and marketing decisions, using the results of data analysis.
AI DOES
Surfaces patterns, generates solution options, and summarizes data insights quickly
YOU DO
Weigh trade-offs and tailor recommendations to your company's real-world constraints
TASK 18
Propose solutions in engineering, the sciences, and other fields using mathematical theories and techniques.
AI DOES
Suggests relevant mathematical techniques, generates solution drafts, and surfaces research or prior work fast
YOU DO
Judge which solution actually fits the problem's real constraints, risks, and goals
TASK 19
Recommend data-driven solutions to key stakeholders.
AI DOES
Generates draft summaries, visualizations, and talking points from data
YOU DO
Read the audience, handle pushback, and connect data to business priorities
TASK 20
Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.
AI DOES
Drafts SQL queries, suggests dashboard layouts, auto-completes code, and flags data anomalies
YOU DO
Decide what metrics matter, validate data logic, and align tools to real business goals
TASK 21
Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
AI DOES
Schedules report delivery, flags anomalies, and routes data summaries to the right people
YOU DO
Decide which insights are urgent and tailor communication to each user's needs
TASK 22
Perform quality control audits to ensure accuracy, completeness, or proper usage of clinical systems and data.
AI DOES
Scans datasets for missing values, outliers, and rule violations — then flags them for review
YOU DO
Judge which errors matter clinically and decide how to fix or escalate them
TASK 23
Conduct or coordinate tests to ensure that intelligence is consistent with defined needs.
AI DOES
Runs validation scripts, checks data consistency, and flags mismatches automatically
YOU DO
Decide if test results truly match what the business actually needs
TASK 24
Track the flow of work forms, including in-house data flow or electronic forms transfer.
AI DOES
Monitors form movement, flags delays, and generates tracking reports automatically
YOU DO
Decide how to handle exceptions, compliance issues, and cross-team communication
TASK 25
Create or review technical design documentation to ensure the accurate development of reporting solutions.
AI DOES
Drafts templates, flags missing sections, and checks documentation for gaps or inconsistencies
YOU DO
Verify that business rules, data sources, and stakeholder needs are correctly captured
TASK 26
Analyze technology trends to identify markets for future product development or to improve sales of existing products.
AI DOES
Scans industry reports, news, and data to surface emerging technology trends and market signals fast
YOU DO
Apply business context, customer knowledge, and strategic judgment to decide which trends are worth pursuing
TASK 27
Deliver oral or written presentations of the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
AI DOES
Drafts slides, writes summaries, and turns raw results into plain-language narratives
YOU DO
Read your audience and shape the message around what decisions they need to make
TASK 28
Monitor work productivity or quality to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.
AI DOES
Tracks productivity metrics, flags deviations from SOPs, and generates compliance reports automatically
YOU DO
Judge root causes, coach team members, and own final compliance decisions
TASK 29
Develop project-specific data management plans that address areas such as coding, reporting, or transfer of data, database locks, and work flow processes.
AI DOES
Drafts template sections, suggests standard wording, and flags missing components
YOU DO
Apply trial-specific context, negotiate with stakeholders, and take regulatory responsibility
TASK 30
Evaluate processes and technologies, and suggest revisions to increase productivity and efficiency.
AI DOES
Researches current technologies, benchmarks processes, and drafts improvement recommendations
YOU DO
Weigh regulatory risk, team readiness, and real-world clinical data constraints before deciding
TASK 31
Develop technical specifications for data management programming and communicate needs to information technology staff.
AI DOES
Drafts technical specification documents, suggests standard data formats, and flags missing requirements
YOU DO
Confirm clinical accuracy, negotiate with IT staff, and sign off on final specs
TASK 32
Design and validate clinical databases, including designing or testing logic checks.
AI DOES
Drafts database schemas, suggests edit checks, and flags common logic errors
YOU DO
Validate that every rule matches the clinical protocol and meets regulatory standards
TASK 33
Train staff on technical procedures or software program usage.
AI DOES
Drafts training guides, quizzes, slide decks, and step-by-step tutorials for clinical software
YOU DO
Read learner confusion, answer unexpected questions, and adapt training in real time
TASK 34
Provide support and information to functional areas such as marketing, clinical monitoring, and medical affairs.
AI DOES
Drafts data summaries, answers common questions, and formats reports for different teams
YOU DO
Judge what information each team truly needs and build trust across departments
TASK 35
Confer with end users to define or implement clinical system requirements such as data release formats, delivery schedules, and testing protocols.
AI DOES
Drafts requirement templates, summarizes meeting notes, and suggests standard data formats or testing checklists
YOU DO
Lead the conversations, read stakeholder needs, and make final calls on what will actually work in practice
TASK 36SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare appropriate formatting to data sets as requested.
AI DOES
Converts data between formats and applies templates
YOU DO
Choose the right structure for the purpose
About this analysis
59% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 37
Supervise the work of data management project staff.
AI DOES
Tracks task progress, surfaces bottlenecks, and drafts performance notes
YOU DO
Build trust, read team dynamics, and make judgment calls about people
TASK 38SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.
AI DOES
Creates charts, tables, and draft summaries from raw data
YOU DO
Shape the story and key insights
About this analysis
49% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 39SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Provide technical support for existing reports, dashboards, or other tools.
AI DOES
Diagnoses common issues and suggests standard fixes
YOU DO
Understand the real business problem
About this analysis
49% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 40SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Process clinical data, including receipt, entry, verification, or filing of information.
AI DOES
Enters and organizes patient data automatically
YOU DO
Verify accuracy and flag critical issues
About this analysis
47% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 41SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Collect business intelligence data from available industry reports, public information, field reports, or purchased sources.
AI DOES
Scans reports and extracts key data points
YOU DO
Decide what insights drive strategy
About this analysis
47% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 42SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Create business intelligence tools or systems, including design of related databases, spreadsheets, or outputs.
AI DOES
Generates dashboards, queries, and database schemas
YOU DO
Define what insights the business needs
About this analysis
45% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 43SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare data analysis listings and activity, performance, or progress reports.
AI DOES
Generates charts, tables, and draft reports from data
YOU DO
Interpret findings and tell the story
About this analysis
41% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 44SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Synthesize current business intelligence or trend data to support recommendations for action.
AI DOES
Analyzes patterns and generates trend summaries
YOU DO
Connect insights to real business decisions
About this analysis
40% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 45SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Analyze clinical data using appropriate statistical tools.
AI DOES
Runs statistical tests and generates initial analysis
YOU DO
Choose the right methods and interpret results
About this analysis
39% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 46SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Identify and analyze industry or geographic trends with business strategy implications.
AI DOES
Processes data and spots initial patterns
YOU DO
Judge which trends matter for strategy
About this analysis
37% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 47SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Contribute to the compilation, organization, and production of protocols, clinical study reports, regulatory submissions, or other controlled documentation.
AI DOES
Drafts sections and formats documents to standards
YOU DO
Ensure compliance and scientific accuracy
About this analysis
36% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 48SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Maintain library of model documents, templates, or other reusable knowledge assets.
AI DOES
Organizes, tags, and suggests relevant templates
YOU DO
Curate quality and decide what stays
About this analysis
34% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 49SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Develop or select specific software programs for various research scenarios.
AI DOES
Suggests tools based on research requirements
YOU DO
Judge fit for your specific context
About this analysis
34% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 50SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Analyze competitive market strategies through analysis of related product, market, or share trends.
AI DOES
Processes data and identifies market trends quickly
YOU DO
Interpret what trends mean for strategy
About this analysis
31% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 51SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Design forms for receiving, processing, or tracking data.
AI DOES
Creates form layouts and suggests field types
YOU DO
Design flows that users actually want
About this analysis
30% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 52SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Disseminate information regarding tools, reports, or metadata enhancements.
AI DOES
Drafts announcements and formats updates quickly
YOU DO
Choose timing, audience, and key messages
About this analysis
9% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 53SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Read technical literature and participate in continuing education or professional associations to maintain awareness of current database technology and best practices.
AI DOES
Summarizes papers and highlights key trends
YOU DO
Judge what applies to your work
About this analysis
8% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 54SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Communicate with customers, competitors, suppliers, professional organizations, or others to stay abreast of industry or business trends.
AI DOES
Monitors news and summarizes industry reports
YOU DO
Build relationships and ask smart questions
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Data Scientists
SOC code: 15-2051
Tasks reviewed: 54 of 54

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $120,230 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $117,400 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 262,440
Employed in Colorado: 6,280
Job outlook: +33.5% by 2034 · ~23,400 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.

Create graphs, charts, or other visualizations to convey the results of data analysis using specialized software.

Identify relationships and trends or any factors that could affect the results of research.

Write new functions or applications in programming languages to conduct analyses.

Identify or monitor current and potential customers, using business intelligence tools.

Apply feature selection algorithms to models predicting outcomes of interest, such as sales, attrition, and healthcare use.

Clean and manipulate raw data using statistical software.

Compare models using statistical performance metrics, such as loss functions or proportion of explained variance.

Design surveys, opinion polls, or other instruments to collect data.

Read scientific articles, conference papers, or other sources of research to identify emerging analytic trends and technologies.

Test, validate, and reformulate models to ensure accurate prediction of outcomes of interest.

Generate data queries, based on validation checks or errors and omissions identified during data entry, to resolve identified problems.

Document specifications for business intelligence or information technology reports, dashboards, or other outputs.

Write work instruction manuals, data capture guidelines, or standard operating procedures.

Apply sampling techniques to determine groups to be surveyed or use complete enumeration methods.

Identify business problems or management objectives that can be addressed through data analysis.

Identify solutions to business problems, such as budgeting, staffing, and marketing decisions, using the results of data analysis.

Propose solutions in engineering, the sciences, and other fields using mathematical theories and techniques.

Recommend data-driven solutions to key stakeholders.

Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.

Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.

Perform quality control audits to ensure accuracy, completeness, or proper usage of clinical systems and data.

Conduct or coordinate tests to ensure that intelligence is consistent with defined needs.

Track the flow of work forms, including in-house data flow or electronic forms transfer.

Create or review technical design documentation to ensure the accurate development of reporting solutions.

Analyze technology trends to identify markets for future product development or to improve sales of existing products.

Deliver oral or written presentations of the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.

Monitor work productivity or quality to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.

Develop project-specific data management plans that address areas such as coding, reporting, or transfer of data, database locks, and work flow processes.

Evaluate processes and technologies, and suggest revisions to increase productivity and efficiency.

Develop technical specifications for data management programming and communicate needs to information technology staff.

Design and validate clinical databases, including designing or testing logic checks.

Train staff on technical procedures or software program usage.

Provide support and information to functional areas such as marketing, clinical monitoring, and medical affairs.

Confer with end users to define or implement clinical system requirements such as data release formats, delivery schedules, and testing protocols.

Prepare appropriate formatting to data sets as requested.

Supervise the work of data management project staff.

Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.

Provide technical support for existing reports, dashboards, or other tools.

Process clinical data, including receipt, entry, verification, or filing of information.

Collect business intelligence data from available industry reports, public information, field reports, or purchased sources.

Create business intelligence tools or systems, including design of related databases, spreadsheets, or outputs.

Prepare data analysis listings and activity, performance, or progress reports.

Synthesize current business intelligence or trend data to support recommendations for action.

Analyze clinical data using appropriate statistical tools.

Identify and analyze industry or geographic trends with business strategy implications.

Contribute to the compilation, organization, and production of protocols, clinical study reports, regulatory submissions, or other controlled documentation.

Maintain library of model documents, templates, or other reusable knowledge assets.

Develop or select specific software programs for various research scenarios.

Analyze competitive market strategies through analysis of related product, market, or share trends.

Design forms for receiving, processing, or tracking data.

Disseminate information regarding tools, reports, or metadata enhancements.

Read technical literature and participate in continuing education or professional associations to maintain awareness of current database technology and best practices.

Communicate with customers, competitors, suppliers, professional organizations, or others to stay abreast of industry or business trends.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.