JOB REPORT / 19-3093 · 21 TASKS

Historians.

Can AI do the work of Historians?

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?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

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

Organize information for publication and for other means…
Gather historical data from sources
Coordinate activities of workers engaged in cataloging and filing…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Historians work. It covers the 20 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

20 of 21 tasks reviewed

This job has 21 core tasks. We went through 20 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Historians 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
Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.
AI DOES
Drafts outlines, formats citations, organizes notes, and suggests structure for articles or web posts
YOU DO
Decide which findings matter most and shape the narrative with historical judgment
TASK 02
Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
AI DOES
Searches digitized databases, transcribes text, and flags relevant documents quickly
YOU DO
Visit physical archives, read old handwriting, and judge which sources truly matter
TASK 03
Coordinate activities of workers engaged in cataloging and filing materials.
AI DOES
Suggests catalog structures, drafts task lists, and flags duplicate or misfiled entries
YOU DO
Read the room, resolve conflicts, and adapt plans when workers hit unexpected problems
TASK 04SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
AI DOES
Scans sources and flags potential accuracy issues
YOU DO
Judge credibility and historical context
About this analysis
68% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 05
Speak to various groups, organizations, and clubs to promote the aims and activities of historical societies.
AI DOES
Drafts talking points, speeches, and promotional materials for presentations
YOU DO
Show up, connect with the audience, and bring history to life in person
TASK 06
Interview people to gather information about historical events and to record oral histories.
AI DOES
Drafts interview questions, transcribes recordings, and summarizes key themes from oral history content
YOU DO
Build rapport, read the room, and ask the right follow-up in the moment
TASK 07SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Translate or request translation of reference materials.
AI DOES
Translates text quickly across many languages
YOU DO
Judge quality and cultural context
About this analysis
55% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 08SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Research and prepare manuscripts in support of public programming and the development of exhibits at historic sites, museums, libraries, and archives.
AI DOES
Gathers sources and drafts initial manuscript sections
YOU DO
Shape the story and ensure historical accuracy
About this analysis
52% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 09SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Collect detailed information on individuals for use in biographies.
AI DOES
Gathers public records and digital traces quickly
YOU DO
Choose sources and verify what's true
About this analysis
47% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 10SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Edit historical society publications.
AI DOES
Corrects grammar, spelling, and basic formatting errors
YOU DO
Judge historical accuracy and narrative flow
About this analysis
44% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 11SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Present historical accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.
AI DOES
Gathers sources and drafts narrative frameworks
YOU DO
Choose perspective and interpret meaning
About this analysis
42% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 12SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
AI DOES
Sorts data and flags potential inconsistencies
YOU DO
Judge what's real and what matters
About this analysis
39% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 13SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Determine which topics to research, or pursue research topics specified by clients or employers.
AI DOES
Suggests topics and finds related research paths
YOU DO
Choose what's worth pursuing and why
About this analysis
37% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 14SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Recommend actions related to historical art, such as which items to add to a collection or which items to display in an exhibit.
AI DOES
Analyzes trends and suggests pieces based on data
YOU DO
Choose what moves people and tells a story
About this analysis
33% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 15SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Research the history of a particular country or region, or of a specific time period.
AI DOES
Gathers sources and summarizes key events
YOU DO
Connect patterns and judge what matters
About this analysis
28% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 16SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Advise or consult with individuals and institutions regarding issues such as the historical authenticity of materials or the customs of a specific historical period.
AI DOES
Researches sources and compiles historical context quickly
YOU DO
Judge authenticity and guide tough decisions
About this analysis
24% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 17SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
AI DOES
Searches archives and cross-references historical sources
YOU DO
Interpret context and judge significance
About this analysis
21% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 18SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Trace historical development in a particular field, such as social, cultural, political, or diplomatic history.
AI DOES
Gathers sources and maps key events chronologically
YOU DO
Connect the deeper patterns and meaning
About this analysis
14% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 19SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Conduct historical research, and publish or present findings and theories.
AI DOES
Searches archives and summarizes sources quickly
YOU DO
Craft the narrative and defend your theory
About this analysis
10% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 20SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, museums, and other research agencies and schools.
AI DOES
Generates lesson plans and summarizes research papers
YOU DO
Inspire students and guide original thinking
About this analysis
8% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

START LEARNING AI

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There are 20 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Historians
SOC code: 19-3093
Tasks reviewed: 20 of 21

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $76,750 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): Not reported for Colorado
Employed (national): 3,450
Employed in Colorado: Not reported for Colorado
Job outlook: +2.2% by 2034 · ~300 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.

Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.

Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.

Coordinate activities of workers engaged in cataloging and filing materials.

Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.

Speak to various groups, organizations, and clubs to promote the aims and activities of historical societies.

Interview people to gather information about historical events and to record oral histories.

Translate or request translation of reference materials.

Research and prepare manuscripts in support of public programming and the development of exhibits at historic sites, museums, libraries, and archives.

Collect detailed information on individuals for use in biographies.

Edit historical society publications.

Present historical accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.

Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.

Determine which topics to research, or pursue research topics specified by clients or employers.

Recommend actions related to historical art, such as which items to add to a collection or which items to display in an exhibit.

Research the history of a particular country or region, or of a specific time period.

Advise or consult with individuals and institutions regarding issues such as the historical authenticity of materials or the customs of a specific historical period.

Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.

Trace historical development in a particular field, such as social, cultural, political, or diplomatic history.

Conduct historical research, and publish or present findings and theories.

Teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, museums, and other research agencies and schools.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.