Astronomers

Astronomers score 44 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #359 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 17 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 13 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 3 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

44/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #359of 923 jobs
US workers: 2,120BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $128,820a year
In real AI use: 3 of 17tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (6%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 13 (76%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 3 (18%)

Review scientific proposals and research papers.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Supervise students' research on celestial and astronomical phenomena.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Raise funds for scientific research.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Teach astronomy or astrophysics.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Develop instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop theories based on personal observations or on observations and theories of other astronomers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Calculate orbits and determine sizes, shapes, brightness, and motions of different celestial bodies.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Develop and modify astronomy-related programs for public presentation.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct question-and-answer presentations on astronomy topics with public audiences.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Direct the operations of a planetarium.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
Measure radio, infrared, gamma, and x-ray emissions from extraterrestrial sources.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Serve on professional panels and committees.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

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How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Astronomers

Task by task

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