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JOB REPORT / 15-2021 · 12 TASKS

Mathematicians.

Can AI do the work of Mathematicians?

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:

  • Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis…
  • Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences…
  • Apply mathematical theories and techniques to the solution…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Mathematicians work. It covers the 12 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

12 of 12 tasks reviewed

We went through all 12 core tasks in this job, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Mathematicians 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.

  1. TASK 01

    Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.

    AI DOES

    Runs calculations, suggests numerical methods, and checks code for errors

    YOU DO

    Choose the right method for the problem and validate that results make sense

  2. TASK 02

    Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences of each set.

    AI DOES

    Checks logical steps, runs symbolic algebra, and finds related published results

    YOU DO

    Choose which assumptions are mathematically interesting and worth pursuing

  3. TASK 03

    Apply mathematical theories and techniques to the solution of practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields.

    AI DOES

    Runs calculations, suggests formulas, checks algebra, and searches known solution methods

    YOU DO

    Judge which math model fits the real problem and validate that the answer actually works in context

  4. TASK 04

    Develop computational methods for solving problems that occur in areas of science and engineering or that come from applications in business or industry.

    AI DOES

    Drafts code, surfaces related algorithms, checks proofs, and runs simulations faster

    YOU DO

    Judge which mathematical approach fits the real-world problem and invent new methods when none exist

  5. TASK 05

    Mentor others on mathematical techniques.

    AI DOES

    Generates practice problems, explains concepts in multiple ways, and suggests teaching approaches

    YOU DO

    Read the student's confusion, build trust, and adjust in real time

  6. TASK 06SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Develop mathematical or statistical models of phenomena to be used for analysis or for computational simulation.

    AI DOES

    Generates model frameworks and runs statistical tests

    YOU DO

    Choose the right approach for real problems

    About this analysis

    40% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

  7. TASK 07SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols.

    AI DOES

    Solves equations and performs complex calculations instantly

    YOU DO

    Choose the right approach and method

    About this analysis

    38% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

  8. TASK 08SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.

    AI DOES

    Explores patterns and tests conjectures at scale

    YOU DO

    Choose which insights deserve pursuit

    About this analysis

    37% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

  9. TASK 09SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas, such as algebra, geometry, probability, and logic.

    AI DOES

    Runs calculations and checks proofs for errors

    YOU DO

    Choose which problems to tackle next

    About this analysis

    35% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

  10. TASK 10SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Design, analyze, and decipher encryption systems designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law-enforcement-related information in code.

    AI DOES

    Runs pattern analysis and tests common ciphers

    YOU DO

    Judge context and strategic implications

    About this analysis

    35% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

  11. TASK 11SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.

    AI DOES

    Summarizes papers and finds relevant connections

    YOU DO

    Judge what insights transform your thinking

    About this analysis

    0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

  12. TASK 12SOURCE-BACKED TASK

    Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.

    AI DOES

    Drafts sections, formats citations, creates presentation slides

    YOU DO

    Shape the story and own your findings

    About this analysis

    0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

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Data sources and attribution

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. rtwoai has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

Wage and employment figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025). Job outlook is from the BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–34. BLS data are in the public domain. BLS has not reviewed or endorsed this page.

Task collaboration data is from the Anthropic Economic Index, release 2025-03-27, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Anthropic has not reviewed or endorsed this page.

How we describe AI use in each task is our own characterization, not a measurement of whether AI can replace this job. Microsoft note that their metrics "should not be misconstrued or misrepresented as measuring the ability of AI to replace jobs," and that there is more to an occupation than the sum of its tasks.