Tasks Most & Least Open
to AI Automation
July 2025
Discover what the modern workforce really thinks about AI automation
Understanding the Data
This interactive table provides a direct look into the mindset of the modern workforce regarding AI automation. The data is sourced directly from the appendix of the groundbreaking Stanford University report, "Future of Work with AI Agents," which surveyed 1,500 workers across the U.S.
High-Desire Tasks
The top 20 tasks employees are most eager to offload to AI. These represent the "low-hanging fruit" for automation—opportunities where you can introduce AI to solve real problems and be seen as a helpful partner.
Low-Desire Tasks
The bottom 20 tasks workers are most resistant to automating. These often involve creativity, critical thinking, or human interaction. Attempting to automate these first can lead to friction and low adoption.
💡 How to Use This Data
Use this data to guide your AI strategy. By focusing on the high-desire tasks, you can build momentum and trust with your team. By understanding the low-desire tasks, you know where to focus on augmentation and human-centric tools instead of full replacement.
For more context: Read our full summary of the report or view the original Stanford HAI announcement .
| Industry / Occupation | Task | Automation Desire Score (1-5 scale) |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Preparers | Schedule appointments with clients. | 5.00 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicators | Maintain files of information relating to emergency calls, such as personnel rosters and emergency call-out and pager files. | 4.67 |
| Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks | Issue and record adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases. | 4.60 |
| Desktop Publishers | Convert various types of files for printing or for the Internet, using computer software. | 4.50 |
| Online Merchants | Create or maintain database of customer accounts. | 4.50 |
| Quality Control Systems Managers | Direct the tracking of defects, test results, or other regularly reported quality control data. | 4.50 |
| Statisticians | Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables. | 4.50 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities. | 4.50 |
| Online Merchants | Calculate revenue, sales, and expenses, using financial accounting or spreadsheet software. | 4.40 |
| Data Entry Keyers | Store completed documents in appropriate locations. | 4.33 |
| Petroleum Engineers | Maintain records of drilling and production operations. | 4.33 |
| Logistics Analysts | Apply analytic methods or tools to understand, predict, or control logistics operations or processes. | 4.33 |
| Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | Instruct parties about timing of court appearances. | 4.33 |
| Data Entry Keyers | Maintain logs of activities and completed work. | 4.25 |
| Compliance Officers | Prepare correspondence to inform concerned parties of licensing decisions or appeals processes. | 4.25 |
| Web Developers | Back up files from Web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems. | 4.20 |
| Web Administrators | Back up or modify applications and related data to provide for disaster recovery. | 4.20 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | Manipulate publicly accessible, commercial, or proprietary genomic, proteomic, or post-genomic databases. | 4.17 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records. | 4.17 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets. | 4.17 |
| Editors | Assign topics, events and stories to individual writers or reporters for coverage. | 1.80 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests. | 1.80 |
| Graphic Designers | Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts. | 1.78 |
| Producers and Directors | Cut and edit film or tape to integrate component parts into desired sequences. | 1.75 |
| Editors | Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles. | 1.75 |
| Accountants and Auditors | Prepare, examine, or analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards. | 1.75 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings. | 1.75 |
| Graphic Designers | Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes. | 1.71 |
| Graphic Designers | Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed. | 1.71 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | Establish work procedures or schedules and keep track of the daily work of clerical staff. | 1.67 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval. | 1.67 |
| Graphic Designers | Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor. | 1.67 |
| Database Administrators | Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system, or direct others in coding descriptions. | 1.67 |
| Editors | Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements. | 1.67 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems. | 1.67 |
| Video Game Designers | Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features. | 1.67 |
| Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks | Contact customers or travel agents to advise them of travel conveyance changes or to confirm reservations. | 1.67 |
| Editors | Write text, such as stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters. | 1.60 |
| Logistics Analysts | Contact potential vendors to determine material availability. | 1.50 |
| Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks | Trace lost, delayed, or misdirected baggage for customers. | 1.50 |