Mostly Resilient
Last Update: 8/30/2026
AI Resilience Score for Comp & Info Research Sci:
55.7%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Med
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Med
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
High
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
There are a reasonable number of sources for this result, but there is some disagreement between them.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forComputer and Information Research Scientists
$140,300 median salary•2,900 annual openings•SOC Code: 15-1221.00
Computer and Information Research Scientists are somewhat more resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 8 sources.
Computer and information research scientists are labeled "Mostly Resilient" because AI is reshaping their work without replacing them. Much of the routine or repetitive technical work is being automated, but that actually frees researchers to focus on the harder, more creative challenges like design, strategy, and ethical decision-making, which AI simply cannot handle on its own.
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Computer and information research scientists are labeled "Mostly Resilient" because AI is reshaping their work without replacing them. Much of the routine or repetitive technical work is being automated, but that actually frees researchers to focus on the harder, more creative challenges like design, strategy, and ethical decision-making, which AI simply cannot handle on its own.
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Comp & Info Research Sci
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Comp & Info Research Sci jobs?
If you're thinking about becoming a computer or information research scientist, here's the honest scoop: AI is landing right in the middle of your future job — but mostly as a powerful sidekick, not a replacement. The Computing Research Association says computing research finds itself at an inflection point [1], with artificial intelligence reshaping research agendas, transforming classrooms, changing workforce expectations, and prompting new questions about the role of computing in society. In practice, AI is starting to help with the exact tasks O*NET lists [2] — running logical analyses, modeling problems, and even coordinating multi-step projects.
UNC's computer science department notes [3] that routine or repetitive technical work may be automated, freeing people to focus on design, strategy, and more complex programming tasks; many professionals will use AI tools even if they are not "AI specialists"; and new roles will emerge around developing, maintaining, auditing, and responsibly deploying AI-enabled systems. Coding agents are a big deal here: The Register reports [4] that nearly a third of respondents said their organizations decided against buying software products in favor of building the functionality in-house with agentic coding tools. But full autonomy is still rare — Brookings researchers stress the need for better ways to evaluate agentic AI [5] before trusting it with high-stakes scientific work.
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Comp & Info Research Sci?
Adoption in this field is fast for augmentation, slower for full replacement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment [6] of computer and information research scientists to grow 19.7 percent between 2024 and 2034, adding about 7,900 jobs — much faster than average, because companies need humans to build the AI, not just use it. Cost is another brake: The Register notes [4] that 20 percent of respondents said AI-related operating costs have constrained their use of the technology, and workforce reductions in 2025 fell well short of what respondents had anticipated, suggesting that turning to AI to replace humans isn't a sure bet.
The upside is real, though — 80 percent of respondents who use AI said it has improved their individual productivity. Translation for you: the human skills UNC highlights — communication, ethical reasoning, creativity, adaptability, and domain expertise — are exactly what will keep this career one of the most secure and interesting places to be.
Sources
Will AI replace Comp & Info Research Sci?
No. We don't think AI will replace Computer and Information Research Scientists, though we do expect the job to change.
Our 55.7% AI Resilience Score reflects a career that is holding up well, but not one untouched by AI. Right now, AI is stepping in to handle routine technical tasks like running analyses and modeling problems, which actually frees researchers to focus on design, strategy, and harder problems [3]. Agentic coding tools are reshaping how software gets built, and Brookings researchers note that better evaluation methods are still needed before AI can be trusted with high-stakes scientific work [5]. That gap is exactly where human judgment lives.
The job market backs this up. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in this field to grow 19.7 percent between 2024 and 2034, adding around 7,900 jobs, because companies need humans to build and oversee AI systems, not just use them [6]. And while 80 percent of AI users report productivity gains, workforce reductions have fallen short of what many anticipated, suggesting AI replacement is not the sure bet some fear [4].
What keeps this career secure is the human layer: ethical reasoning, creativity, communication, and domain expertise. AI is a powerful tool here. It is not the researcher.
Sources
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Latest AI news for Comp & Info Research Sci
These articles provide valuable insights for aspiring Computer and Information Research Scientists. For instance, the piece on AI research scientist roles highlights essential skills and responsibilities, emphasizing the need for adaptability in a rapidly evolving field. Additionally, the article about AI transforming computer science careers reveals how AI tools can enhance problem-solving in complex areas like healthcare, showcasing opportunities rather than threats. Overall, students should embrace AI resilience, understanding that it can augment their research capabilities rather than replace their roles.
What Is an AI Research Scientist? 2026 Career Guide
www.coursera.org • 9/20/2026
Jul 9, 2026 — Discover the role of an AI research scientist. Explore duties and responsibilities, essential skills, and the education and experience ...
How AI Is Transforming Computer Science Careers
www.gisma.com • 9/20/2026
May 8, 2025 — AI is opening up new career opportunities in computer science by enabling professionals to solve complex challenges in fields like healthcare, ... Read more
Measuring US workers' capacity to adapt to AI-driven job ...
www.brookings.edu • 9/20/2026
Jan 21, 2026 — Existing measures of AI “exposure” overlook workers' adaptive capacity—i.e., their varied ability to navigate job displacement. Read more
Will AI replace computer and information research scientists?
www.careerexplorer.com • 9/20/2026
AI won't replace computer and information research scientists, but it's automating parts of the research process itself. Literature reviews, prototype coding, ... Read more
The Role of AI in the Future of Computer Science
online.monash.edu • 9/20/2026
AI has significantly transformed computer science by introducing new standards in problem-solving, automation, and data analysis. It's expanded the boundaries ... Read more
More Career Info
Career: Computer and Information Research Scientists
They solve complex computer problems by developing new technology and improving how computers work, helping make our digital world faster and smarter.
Parent Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$140,300
Jobs (2025)
38,600
Growth (2025-35)
+21.8%
Annual Openings
2,900
Education
Master's degree
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-2035
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.
2
Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
3
Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.
4
Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
5
Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.
6
Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
7
Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
