JOB REPORT / 19-3099 · 22 TASKS

Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other.

Can AI do the work of Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Others?

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

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

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

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

Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems…
Analyze information related to transportation
Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other work. It covers the 22 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

22 of 22 tasks reviewed

We went through all 22 core tasks in this job, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Others 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
Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
AI DOES
Summarizes model outputs, flags patterns in GIS data, and drafts plain-language descriptions of traffic results
YOU DO
Apply local knowledge and community context to decide what the findings actually mean
TASK 02
Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
AI DOES
Summarizes reports, pulls data trends, and flags environmental or land-use patterns across large datasets
YOU DO
Weigh community needs, political context, and long-term trade-offs that go beyond data
TASK 03
Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits.
AI DOES
Drafts permit applications, organizes required sections, and flags missing information
YOU DO
Verify local regulations, build agency trust, and take professional responsibility for submissions
TASK 04
Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.
AI DOES
Summarizes bill language, pulls relevant research, and flags likely impacts on traffic, transit, and funding
YOU DO
Apply local knowledge and judgment about what communities actually need
TASK 05
Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.
AI DOES
Writes model code, cleans data, suggests algorithms, and runs scenario tests faster
YOU DO
Set the right problem framing and judge whether model outputs match real community needs
TASK 06
Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.
AI DOES
Pulls cost benchmarks, flags budget gaps, and summarizes project data quickly
YOU DO
Weigh community needs, political realities, and site-specific factors that data alone can't capture
TASK 07
Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations.
AI DOES
Scans plans for regulation gaps, summarizes traffic impact data, and highlights missing infrastructure elements
YOU DO
Apply local knowledge and professional judgment to weigh tradeoffs and make final compliance calls
TASK 08
Produce environmental documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.
AI DOES
Drafts boilerplate sections, summarizes data tables, and flags missing required topics
YOU DO
Apply local knowledge, coordinate with agencies, and own legal compliance decisions
TASK 09
Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways.
AI DOES
Pulls geographic data, flags inconsistencies, and drafts classification recommendations
YOU DO
Apply local context, weigh community needs, and make official decisions
TASK 10
Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.
AI DOES
Crunches traffic and population data, summarizes trends, and drafts initial improvement options
YOU DO
Weigh community priorities, political trade-offs, and real-world feasibility before committing to a recommendation
TASK 11
Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis.
AI DOES
Runs simulations, tests model variations, flags patterns in large datasets, and drafts code for analytical frameworks
YOU DO
Judge whether a new model truly reflects how real people move and make decisions in a specific place
TASK 12
Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.
AI DOES
Searches literature, summarizes data, drafts options, and flags tradeoffs
YOU DO
Bring engineering judgment and collaborate in real conversations to reach decisions
TASK 13
Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas.
AI DOES
Generates layout options, summarizes traffic data, drafts technical reports, and flags design standards
YOU DO
Apply local knowledge, weigh community trade-offs, and take professional responsibility for safe designs
TASK 14
Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
AI DOES
Summarizes traffic data, flags trends, and drafts lists of potential priorities
YOU DO
Listen to community needs and weigh competing local values
TASK 15
Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level.
AI DOES
Analyzes transportation data, summarizes research, and drafts strategy frameworks
YOU DO
Build trust across agencies and negotiate real-world trade-offs with communities
TASK 16
Direct urban traffic counting programs.
AI DOES
Analyzes traffic count data, spots patterns, and flags locations that may need attention
YOU DO
Coordinate field crews, pick count sites, and adapt plans when real-world conditions change
TASK 17
Participate in public meetings or hearings to explain planning proposals, to gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project designs.
AI DOES
Drafts presentation slides, summarizes public comments, and flags common concerns
YOU DO
Show up, listen actively, and build trust with real people in the room
TASK 18
Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.
AI DOES
Drafts testimony, summarizes regulations, and prepares supporting documents
YOU DO
Show up, speak on behalf of the jurisdiction, and exercise professional and political judgment in the room
TASK 19SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
AI DOES
Generates survey questions and formats from templates
YOU DO
Know what concerns actually matter locally
About this analysis
53% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 20SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare or review engineering studies or specifications.
AI DOES
Generates technical calculations and draft specifications
YOU DO
Verify safety and approve final designs
About this analysis
38% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 21SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
AI DOES
Analyzes traffic data and generates draft reports
YOU DO
Weigh trade-offs and make final recommendations
About this analysis
32% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 22SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Analyze information from traffic counting programs.
AI DOES
Processes traffic data and generates basic reports
YOU DO
Interpret patterns and recommend actions
About this analysis
27% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
SOC code: 19-3099
Tasks reviewed: 22 of 22

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $101,110 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $105,390 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 37,100
Employed in Colorado: 790
Job outlook: −1.7% by 2034 · ~3,200 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.

Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.

Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.

Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits.

Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.

Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.

Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.

Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations.

Produce environmental documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.

Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways.

Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.

Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis.

Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.

Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas.

Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.

Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level.

Direct urban traffic counting programs.

Participate in public meetings or hearings to explain planning proposals, to gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project designs.

Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.

Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.

Prepare or review engineering studies or specifications.

Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.

Analyze information from traffic counting programs.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.