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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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.

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 , 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 — running logical analyses, modeling problems, and even coordinating multi-step projects. UNC's computer science department notes 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 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 before trusting it with high-stakes scientific work.

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 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 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.

Mostly Resilient

Last Update: 8/30/2026

AI Resilience Score for Comp & Info Research Sci:

55.7%

Median Score

Meaningful human contribution

Med

Long-term employer demand

Med

Sustained economic opportunity

High

Our confidence in this score:

Medium

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.

Learn more about how you can thrive in this position

This role is mostly resilient

Read full analysis

Analysis of current AI resilience

Comp & Info Research Sci

Updated quarterly

Your move

How can Comp & Info Research Sci prepare for AI?

Experiment with agentic coding tools to understand what they can and cannot do.

The analysis highlights that nearly a third of organizations are now building software in-house using agentic coding tools instead of buying products, so getting hands-on experience with these tools now puts you ahead of the curve. Try free platforms like GitHub Copilot or similar AI coding assistants on small personal projects, and pay close attention to where the AI makes mistakes or needs your guidance, because that gap is exactly where your human judgment becomes valuable.

Practice evaluating AI outputs critically, especially for high-stakes problems.

Brookings researchers specifically flag the need for better ways to evaluate agentic AI before trusting it with serious scientific work, and this is a skill gap you can start filling right now. Challenge yourself by taking an AI-generated solution to a coding or logic problem and systematically checking it for errors, bias, or missing context, because research scientists who can audit and responsibly deploy AI systems are exactly the new roles UNC identifies as emerging in this field.

Build your communication and ethical reasoning skills alongside your technical ones.

UNC's computer science department points out that communication, ethical reasoning, and domain expertise are the human skills that will keep this career secure even as AI handles more routine and repetitive technical work. Join your school's debate team, ethics bowl, or a computer science club that discusses real-world technology dilemmas, and practice explaining complex ideas to people who are not technical, because the analysis makes clear that these soft skills are what separate resilient researchers from replaceable ones.

Learn about AI operating costs and productivity tradeoffs so you can think like a researcher and a strategist.

The analysis notes that 20 percent of organizations say AI-related operating costs have constrained their use of the technology, while 80 percent of AI users report improved individual productivity, and understanding both sides of that equation is a skill that sets great research scientists apart. Start following technology news sources that cover AI adoption in the workplace, and try building a simple cost-versus-benefit comparison for a hypothetical AI tool rollout as a personal project or school assignment.

Explore the fast-growing job market by connecting what you study to real research agendas.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 19.7 percent employment growth for computer and information research scientists between 2024 and 2034, adding roughly 7,900 jobs, largely because companies need humans to build and guide AI systems rather than just use them. Look for summer programs, competitions like science fairs, or university open-house events focused on computing research, and use those opportunities to ask researchers directly how AI is reshaping their work, since the Computing Research Association describes this moment as a genuine inflection point where new questions about computing's role in society are wide open for the next generation to answer.

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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.

SOC Code:

15-1221.00•Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Parent Careers

Major Group:Computer and Mathematical Occupations

Minor Group:Computer Occupations

Broad Group:Computer and Information Research Scientists

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

90% ResilienceCore Task

Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.

2

88% ResilienceCore Task

Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.

3

86% ResilienceSupplemental

Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.

4

85% ResilienceCore Task

Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.

5

84% ResilienceSupplemental

Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.

6

82% ResilienceCore Task

Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.

7

80% ResilienceCore Task

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.

Mostly Resilient

55.7%

Methodology and Scoring Rationale

AI Resilience Report forComputer and Information Research Scientists

This role is mostly resilient

Comp & Info Research Sci

How is AI changing Comp & Info Research Sci jobs?

Sources

How fast is AI adoption growing for Comp & Info Research Sci?

Sources

Will AI replace Comp & Info Research Sci?

Sources

How can Comp & Info Research Sci prepare for AI?

Your Career Starts Here

Latest AI news for Comp & Info Research Sci

More Career Info

Career: Computer and Information Research Scientists

Parent Careers

Employment & Wage Data

Task-Level AI Resilience Scores

1

2

3

4

5

6

7