Automation index

Can AI do the work of a Economist?

Pulling a dataset and a first chart is instant. Deciding which model holds, and explaining it to a ministry, is not.

It also does not predict how many people will lose their jobs.

Task comparison

IS WORK OVER?

30%

AI or a robot can already do 30% of this job.

#38 / 103

Economist

Score = Σ (weight × saving). Weight is our estimate from frequency, not a time share published by O*NET. Saving is separate.

Weights are our estimate from O*NET frequency (FT). O*NET does not publish % of the week.

Task	Share	AI	Adds
Clean data, estimate and produce tables. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	22%	52%	+11.4
Draft notes, briefs and a first paper. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	18%	45%	+8.1
Choose model, assumptions and robustness. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	16%	22%	+3.5
Present to a client, ministry or board. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	16%	15%	+2.4
Debate, peer-review and defend the numbers. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	14%	12%	+1.7
Read the political context and data quality. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	14%	18%	+2.5
Total	100%		30%

Modelled week 100% · Public evidence 0% · Estimate 100% · Confidence: Low

IS WORK OVER?

30%

#37 / 103

Cashier

Score = Σ (weight × saving). Weight is our estimate from frequency, not a time share published by O*NET. Saving is separate.

Weights are our estimate from O*NET frequency (FT). O*NET does not publish % of the week.

Task	Share	AI	Adds
Receive payment by cash, check, credit cards, vouchers, or automatic debits. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	9%	28%	+2.5
Issue receipts, refunds, credits, or change due to customers. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	7%	28%	+2
Greet customers entering establishments. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	7%	28%	+2
Answer incoming phone calls. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	7%	28%	+2
Establish or identify prices of goods, services, or admission, and tabulate bills, using calculators, cash registers, or optical price scanners. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	6%	28%	+1.7
Compute and record totals of transactions. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	6%	55%	+3.3
Request information or assistance, using paging systems. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	6%	28%	+1.7
Answer customers' questions, and provide information on procedures or policies. Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	5%	28%	+1.4
Other less frequent tasks (weight estimated from frequency). Estimate No public source pins this saving. It is an estimate of the method.	47%	28%	+13.2
Total	100%		30%

Modelled week 100% · Public evidence 0% · Estimate 100% · Confidence: Low