AI exposure score

Bakers

Bakers score 26 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #569 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 18 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 3 on its own and 4 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 5 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

26/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #569of 923 jobs
US workers: 236,200BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $37,160a year
In real AI use: 5 of 18tasks, 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: 3 (17%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 4 (22%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 11 (61%)

Adapt the quantity of ingredients to match the amount of items to be baked.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare or maintain inventory or production records.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop new recipes for baked goods.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Decorate baked goods, such as cakes or pastries.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Direct or coordinate bakery deliveries.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Order or receive supplies or equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Set time and speed controls for mixing machines, blending machines, or steam kettles so that ingredients will be mixed or cooked according to instructions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Observe color of products being baked, and adjust oven temperatures, humidity, or conveyor speeds accordingly.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Check the quality of raw materials to ensure that standards and specifications are met.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
Check equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations, and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Apply glazes, icings, or other toppings to baked goods, using spatulas or brushes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Roll, knead, cut, or shape dough to form sweet rolls, pie crusts, tarts, cookies, or other products.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Operate slicing or wrapping machines.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about bakers and AI

Will AI replace bakers?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Bakers score 26 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #569 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 7 of the job's 18 tasks, 3 of them on its own, while 11 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which bakers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Adapt the quantity of ingredients to match the amount of items to be baked"; "Prepare or maintain inventory or production records"; "Develop new recipes for baked goods".

Which bakers tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking"; "Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery"; "Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 5 of the 18 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as bakers, and what do they earn?

About 236,200 people in the US, with median pay of $37,160 a year (BLS, May 2025).

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.

Bakers

Task by task

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Questions about bakers and AI

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