Anthropic Identifies Jobs Most Exposed to AI Risks

Study finds computer programmers, customer service reps, and data entry workers face highest AI displacement risk

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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A new study by Anthropic has identified the jobs most at risk of AI automation, with computer programmers, customer service representatives, and data entry workers topping the list. The study found that AI is already handling a significant portion of tasks in these "knowledge work" roles, which are often held by highly educated, well-paid professionals - a departure from past waves of automation that hit blue-collar workers hardest. While mass layoffs have not yet materialized, the data shows a 14% drop in hiring of young workers ages 22-25 into these high-exposure roles since the launch of ChatGPT, suggesting AI's impact may be felt first at the entry level.

Why it matters

This study provides important insights into how AI automation is targeting "knowledge work" roles, which could have significant implications for the future of employment. Unlike past waves of automation that hit low-wage, blue-collar jobs, AI appears to be putting highly educated, well-paid professionals at risk, raising questions about the potential for widespread job displacement across the economy.

The details

The Anthropic study ranked computer programmers as the occupation most exposed to AI, with the AI model handling about 74.5% of their core tasks. Customer service representatives (70.1%), data entry keyers (67.1%), medical records specialists (66.7%), and financial and investment analysts (57.2%) rounded out the top five most exposed roles. What's striking is that these are not the low-skill jobs that have historically been the focus of automation concerns. Workers in the most exposed occupations earn about 47% more than those in jobs with zero AI exposure, and are far more likely to hold graduate degrees.

  • The Anthropic study was published on March 10, 2026.
  • ChatGPT, the AI model developed by Anthropic, launched in late 2022.

The players

Anthropic

An artificial intelligence research company that developed the Claude AI model and conducted the study on jobs most exposed to AI risks.

Maxim Massenkoff

An Anthropic researcher who co-authored the study on AI's impact on jobs.

Peter McCrory

An Anthropic researcher who co-authored the study on AI's impact on jobs.

Dario Amodei

The CEO of Anthropic, who has expressed conviction that AI will replace jobs up and down the corporate ladder.

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What they’re saying

“AI is far from reaching its theoretical capabilities.”

— Maxim Massenkoff and Peter McCrory, Anthropic researchers (Investopedia)

What’s next

Anthropic researchers say that as AI's deployment in the economy broadens, the gap between its theoretical capabilities and actual usage is likely to narrow, potentially leading to increased job insecurity in the occupations most exposed to AI automation.

The takeaway

This study highlights how AI automation is targeting "knowledge work" roles traditionally held by highly educated, well-paid professionals, rather than the low-wage, blue-collar jobs that have historically been the focus of automation concerns. As AI capabilities continue to advance, workers in fields like computer programming, customer service, and data entry may face growing risks to their job security, underscoring the need for policymakers and employers to proactively address the potential workforce disruptions posed by AI.