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Technology & Data · Updated Aug 2026

Operations Research Analysts

Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
AI Exposure
77/100
Very high

How much of this occupation’s work can be materially affected by current AI systems.

Replacement Risk
72/100
High

How likely exposure is to translate into reduced human demand.

Includes provisional estimates for AI adoption pressure and labour-market resilience. How this is measured

Evidence quality
Confidence84/100
Task coverage88%

Confidence reflects task coverage, mapping and capability-evidence quality, and how much of the score rests on provisional inputs.

Task-level evidence

What is driving the score?

Occupation scores are built from the task mix—not a single prediction about a job title.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
TaskImportanceAI impactExposure
Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.High
82
Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.High
81
Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.High
82
Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.High
81
Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the component problems, using a variety of sources.High
66
Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.High
80
Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.High
80
Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.High
80
Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.High
82
Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.High
79
Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.High
79
Develop and apply time and cost networks to plan, control, and review large projects.Medium
80
Design, conduct, and evaluate experimental operational models in cases where models cannot be developed from existing data.Medium
80
Break systems into their components, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.Medium
40
Most exposed

Where AI can do more

Routine, digitized, and highly repeatable tasks face the greatest pressure.

  1. Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.82
  2. Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.82
  3. Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.82
  4. Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.81
Hardest to automate

Where people still matter

These tasks score lowest on automation feasibility—physical presence, judgement, accountability and real-world variability all resist end-to-end automation.

  1. Break systems into their components, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.01
  2. Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the component problems, using a variety of sources.02
  3. Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.03
  4. Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.04
  5. Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.05
Where else this work leads

Related occupations

Occupations O*NET links to this one. Relatedness reflects shared work, not a claim that these roles are safer.

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Beyond AI capability

Adoption and labour-market outlook

Structural factors are kept separate from raw capability so you can see what actually resists automation. Adoption pressure and labour-market resilience are still provisional models—25% of this occupation’s replacement-risk weight rests on them.

Human dependency57
Physical dependency15
Adoption pressure63
Labour-market resilience48
Methodology & sources

O*NET 30.3 occupational data interpreted through the JobsVsAI capability, automation and structural-constraint models.

Confidence84/100
CalculatedAug 21, 2026
Read methodology →