Will AI replace Business sales executives?

Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 57 official task statements scored for Business sales executives (United Kingdom, SOC 3552), 46% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 50 out of 100 (range 45–56, band: partial). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.

Which tasks in “Business sales executives” can AI already do?

The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Record customer orders in the sales database” (93/100, very high); “Maintain customer records to track sales interactions” (93/100, very high); “Complete sales reports to track business performance” (93/100, very high). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.

Which tasks in “Business sales executives” stay human?

About 46% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Stock resources such as samples or promotional or educational materials” (0/100, minimal); “Attend trade shows to promote products” (0/100, minimal); “Attend conferences, seminars, and training sessions to stay informed about field developments” (8/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.

What should someone working in “Business sales executives” do about AI?

Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 46% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 46% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.

How is the AI exposure score for Business sales executives calculated?

Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 57 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

UK dataswitch to US

Business sales executives

informing customers about prices and availability, managing a client portfolio and presenting the product or service favourably and in a structured professional way face-to-face. If that's your week, this page is about your job.

The honest answer

This job is splitting in two: recording customer orders in the sales database is work AI now does quickly and cheaply, and building and maintaining valuable relationships with clients to enhance business partnerships is work it can't touch.

Your move: what you can actually do about this ↓

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 46%
changing shape: 9%
staying human: 46%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

Whole-job exposure score 50 out of 100 (45–56 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, across 57 scored tasks. The number is the support for the sentence above it, not a headline about anyone’s future.

How we know this

What is measured: Every published task statement for business sales executives is rated on five dimensions: can a model produce the output, does the work need a body in a room, does it need a legally accountable person, does it depend on a person being trusted in the moment, and how much data exists. A published formula turns those five ratings into the score; the model never writes the number.

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

Which half fills your week decides your exposure. That is more in your control than it sounds.

Your week, as this page understands it

Business sales executives provide advice to existing and potential customers, and receive orders for specialist machinery, equipment, materials and other products or services that require technical knowledge. The job title says “business sales executives”. The real job is the part underneath: building and maintaining valuable relationships with clients to enhance business partnerships. That is the thing someone has to be right about.

The exposed part of this job is specific, and we won’t pretend it is coming back. But business sales executives is not one task. It is 57 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is building and maintaining valuable relationships with clients to enhance business partnerships, and the ledger below shows exactly why.

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 46%
changing shape: 9%
staying human: 46%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

How we know this

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

Your job, task by task

These are the official task statements for this occupation, in plain English, sorted by what the evidence says is happening to each one. The official wording sits under every line so you can check the rewrite against it.

23 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.

Shifting to AI

27 tasks

Tasks today’s tools can already do most of. This is the part we will not soften: where these rows are the bulk of your week, the week changes.

Informing customers about prices and availability
This is reading one thing and writing another: customers in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 90 · 3552/00
Source: “Inform customers about prices and availability.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (75–83 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Price and stock questions are answered instantly from systems already holding the data.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Answering customers' queries about services
This is reading one thing and writing another: customers' queries in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 90 · 3552/00
Source: “Answer customers' queries about services.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (60–68 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Most service questions have documented answers that can be given automatically.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Recording customer orders in the sales database
This is reading one thing and writing another: customer orders in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Record customer orders in the sales database.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Typing orders into the sales system is routine keying that software already does straight from emails or order forms.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Informing customers of estimated delivery schedules for purchased products
This is reading one thing and writing another: customers of estimated delivery schedules in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Inform customers of estimated delivery schedules for purchased products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (75–83 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Delivery dates sit in the ordering system, so telling customers about them is a message software can send automatically.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Changing shape

5 tasks

Tasks where the machine takes the producing and a person keeps the checking, the deciding, or the answering-for-it. For most jobs this is the biggest group, and it is where "transformation, not termination" is literally visible.

Carry out administrative tasks such as negotiating contracts to establish terms of service or purchase
The software now makes the first pass at administrative tasks, but the part that matters is a person saying it and standing behind it. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Carry out administrative tasks such as negotiating contracts to establish terms of service or purchase.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 51 out of 100 (44–58 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: The paperwork side of agreeing terms is templated and easy to automate, though agreeing the terms themselves still involves a conversation.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Highlighting product features
The software now makes the first pass at product features, but the part that matters is a person saying it and standing behind it. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 3552/00
Source: “Highlight product features, based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 53 out of 100 (49–57 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Tailored pitches draft well, though delivering them convincingly is a conversation.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Providing feedback to product design teams so that products can be tailored to clients' needs
The software now makes the first pass at feedback, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Provide feedback to product design teams so that products can be tailored to clients' needs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 57 out of 100 (50–64 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Turning customer comments into useful design feedback is largely writing up patterns, which software does well from records.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

Staying human

25 tasks

Tasks that stay with a person, because they happen in the physical world, because the rules need someone accountable, or because the value is that a specific person does them.

Contacting new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs
The value here is that a specific person handles new or existing customers and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 85 · 3552/00
Source: “Contact new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 35 out of 100 (28–42 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: This is a consultative conversation that depends on the person having it.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Negotiating contracts with customers and suppliers to achieve sales objectives
The value here is that a specific person handles contracts and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 85 · 3552/00
Source: “Negotiate contracts with customers and suppliers to achieve sales objectives.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 28 out of 100 (24–32 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Software prepares strong positions and drafts terms, but the give-and-take that closes a deal runs on trust between the two people.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Managing client accounts to maintain and enhance customer relationships
The value here is that a specific person handles client accounts and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 85 · 3552/00
Source: “Manage client accounts to maintain and enhance customer relationships.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 24 out of 100 (17–31 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Managing client accounts is mostly admin that software handles, but keeping a customer happy still rests on an ongoing personal relationship.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Show the other 47 tasks

Maintaining customer records to track sales interactions
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: customer records in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3552/00
Source: “Maintain customer records to track sales interactions.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Keeping customer records up to date is routine system work software handles from emails, calls and calendar entries.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Completing sales reports to track business performance
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: sales reports in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Complete sales reports to track business performance.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Sales reports are built from figures already in the system, which software pulls together and writes up quickly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Monitoring competitors' products and prices for market analysis
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: competitors' products in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Monitor competitors' products and prices for market analysis.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Competitor products and prices are largely published online, and software is good at gathering and comparing them.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Providing sales reports to head office to inform strategic decisions
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: sales reports in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Provide sales reports to head office to inform strategic decisions.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Head-office sales reports come straight from figures in the system, so software can compile and write them.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Completing necessary paperwork to support operational activities
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: necessary paperwork in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 50 · 3552/00
Source: “Complete necessary paperwork to support operational activities.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Routine operational paperwork is standard form-filling drawn from records the business already holds, which software completes quickly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Filing expense account reports for financial accountability
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: expense account reports in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 50 · 3552/00
Source: “File expense account reports for financial accountability.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (86–100 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Receipt scanning and card feeds already fill in expense claims automatically, leaving little more than a quick check by the person claiming.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Analysing market trends to compare products and assess competitor strategies
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: market trends in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Analyse market trends to compare products and assess competitor strategies.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Comparing products and competitor strategies uses widely available published information.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Informing customers about responsible use and disposal of products
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: customers in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Inform customers about responsible use and disposal of products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (75–83 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Guidance on safe use and disposal is already written down, so software can produce clear customer information reliably.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Informing customers of service contracts and warranties for purchased products
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: customers of service contracts in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Inform customers of service contracts and warranties for purchased products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (75–83 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Service contract and warranty terms are documented and can be explained automatically.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Analysing product sales and costs to ensure profitability
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: product sales in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Analyse product sales and costs to ensure profitability.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Margin analysis from sales and cost data is straightforward number work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Maintaining accurate records
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: accurate records in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Maintain accurate records.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Keeping records accurate is routine screen work software does reliably.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: technical presentations in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3552/00
Source: “Prepare technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Building a clear technical deck from product information is well-supported desk work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing accurate project quotations for clients
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: accurate project quotations in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Prepare accurate project quotations for clients.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Quotations come from price lists and standard terms, so software prepares them with the salesperson checking unusual items.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing work schedules to optimise team productivity
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: work schedules in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 3552/00
Source: “Prepare work schedules to optimise team productivity.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Building a rota is a scheduling problem software solves, given the team's constraints.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Explaining credit terms to customers
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: credit terms in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Explain credit terms to customers.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 74 out of 100 (67–81 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Payment terms between businesses are standard wording that software can explain accurately, and no licence is needed to give that explanation.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Detailing bid specifications for business sales proposals
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: bid specifications in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3552/00
Source: “Detail bid specifications for business sales proposals.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 68 out of 100 (61–75 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Bid specifications follow standard structures and earlier documents, so software drafts them, but the deciding detail is customer-specific.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Calculating customers' installation or production costs
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: customers' installation in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Calculate customers' installation or production costs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 68 out of 100 (61–75 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Costing an installation follows set price lists, but the decisive details are often specific to one customer site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Estimating savings from new services
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: savings in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 3552/00
Source: “Estimate savings from new services, products, or equipment.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 68 out of 100 (61–75 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Savings estimates follow standard calculations, but the figures that matter are usually specific to one customer setup.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Specifying credit terms for bids
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: credit terms in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 3552/00
Source: “Specify credit terms for bids.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 66 out of 100 (59–73 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Credit terms follow company rules and credit data, so software can set them, subject to finance approval.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Managing customer enquiries and issues
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: customer enquiries in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Manage customer enquiries and issues.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (60–68 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Routine enquiries and complaints follow familiar patterns, so software drafts good replies, with awkward cases passed to a person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Analysing customer needs to inform sales strategies and customer requirements
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: customer needs in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3552/00
Source: “Analyse customer needs to inform sales strategies and customer requirements.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (60–68 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Needs analysis from records and conversations is well-supported analytical work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Arranging meetings
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: meetings in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 3552/00
Source: “Arrange meetings.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (60–68 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Finding a slot and sending invitations is routine scheduling work software handles well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Providing ongoing technical support for a running application
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: technical support in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 3552/00
Source: “Provide ongoing technical support for a running application.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (57–71 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Support for a live application is well documented work software increasingly handles, with harder faults escalated to people.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Providing training to sales team members
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at sales team members, but the part that matters is a person saying it and standing behind it. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Provide training to sales team members.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 40 out of 100 (33–47 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Training material is easy to produce, though sales coaching works best in person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Colding call potential new clients
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at call potential new clients, but the part that matters is a person saying it and standing behind it. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 60 · 3552/00
Source: “Cold call potential new clients.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 40 out of 100 (33–47 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Software can find prospects and write the script, but a cold call still lands or fails on the person answering.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Delivering after-sales support services to ensure customer satisfaction
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles after-sales support services and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Deliver after-sales support services to ensure customer satisfaction.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 39 out of 100 (32–46 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Most after-sales queries follow familiar patterns software answers well, though some customers still want a person to reassure them.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Providing technical support to business clients
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles technical support and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Provide technical support to business clients as needed.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 39 out of 100 (32–46 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Most technical questions have documented answers software retrieves well, though tricky cases still need an experienced person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Providing pre-sales technical assistance and product education
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles pre-sales technical assistance and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 3552/00
Source: “Provide pre-sales technical assistance and product education.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 39 out of 100 (32–46 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Product questions before a sale usually have documented answers, so software drafts them, with complex setups needing an expert.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Coordinating the installation of products or machinery
staying human
The ratings behind this row put the installation of products well outside what today's tools can do on their own.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Coordinate the installation of products or machinery.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 37 out of 100 (30–44 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Coordinating an installation is mostly scheduling and messages software can handle, though site realities still need someone involved.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Promoting the sale of company products in collaboration with sales teams
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles the sale of company products and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Promote the sale of company products in collaboration with sales teams.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 35 out of 100 (28–42 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Promotion is done alongside colleagues and customers.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Discussing and exchanging selling strategies with sales team members
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles strategies and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Discuss and exchange selling strategies with sales team members.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 35 out of 100 (28–42 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Software can suggest tactics, but swapping selling ideas with colleagues works because people are talking things through.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Contributing to the design of bespoke products
staying human
The ratings behind this row put the design of bespoke products well outside what today's tools can do on their own.
importance 60 · 3552/00
Source: “Contribute to the design of bespoke products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 32 out of 100 (25–39 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Bespoke design needs hands-on knowledge of what a customer site allows, so software can only contribute suggestions.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Organising product awareness, skills transfer or product education sessions for staff or suppliers
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles product awareness, skills transfer or product education sessions and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 60 · 3552/00
Source: “Organise product awareness, skills transfer, or product education sessions for staff or suppliers.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 30 out of 100 (23–37 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Materials can be produced automatically, but sessions are run with people in the room.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Negotiating purchases and sales to meet sales targets
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles purchases and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Negotiate purchases and sales to meet sales targets.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 28 out of 100 (24–32 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Negotiating purchases and sales depends on trust and live give-and-take.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Negotiating tenders
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles tenders and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 3552/00
Source: “Negotiate tenders.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 28 out of 100 (21–35 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Software prepares the numbers and positions, but the give and take of a live tender negotiation stays with people.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Making presentations to promote new products
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: presentations, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Make presentations to promote new products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 26 out of 100 (19–33 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Software builds the slides, but promoting a new product usually means presenting it in person to a room.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Achieving performance and sales targets by implementing effective strategies
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: performance, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Achieve performance and sales targets by implementing effective strategies.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 24 out of 100 (17–31 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Sales tactics can be suggested by software, but hitting targets happens through daily work on the floor.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Managing a client portfolio, aiming to meet targets for acquiring new business
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles a client portfolio and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Manage a client portfolio, aiming to meet targets for acquiring new business.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 24 out of 100 (17–31 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Chasing new business needs live relationships; software helps track the portfolio and spot targets but cannot win the accounts.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Persuading clients to purchase company products
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles clients and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 85 · 3552/00
Source: “Persuade clients to purchase company products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 21 out of 100 (14–28 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Software can draft the pitch, but talking a business buyer into signing still depends on a person they know and trust.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Promoting products to retailers and sales representatives
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: products, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Promote products to retailers and sales representatives.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 20 out of 100 (13–27 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Sales materials are easy to write, but the selling itself relies on a person building the relationship.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Fostering a collaborative working approach with internal or external staff
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles a collaborative working approach and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Foster a collaborative working approach with internal or external staff.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 18 out of 100 (14–22 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Working relationships depend on people trusting each other, which software cannot build for them.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Achieving sales targets
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles sales targets and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 85 · 3552/00
Source: “Achieve sales targets.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 13 out of 100 (9–17 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Hitting targets depends on the customer relationships a salesperson holds.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Building and maintaining valuable relationships with clients to enhance business partnerships
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles valuable relationships and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 85 · 3552/00
Source: “Build and maintain valuable relationships with clients to enhance business partnerships.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 10 out of 100 (6–14 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: The client relationship is the work, and customers deal with a person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 4/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Presenting the product or service favourably and in a structured professional way face-to-face
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: the product, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3552/00
Source: “Present the product or service favourably and in a structured professional way face-to-face.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 8 out of 100 (4–12 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Presenting face-to-face means being in the room with the customer, so software can prepare the pitch but not deliver it.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Attending conferences, seminars and training sessions to stay informed about field developments
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: conferences, seminars and training sessions, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3552/00
Source: “Attend conferences, seminars, and training sessions to stay informed about field developments.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 8 out of 100 (1–15 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Attending conferences and training is about being there and meeting people in the field.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Attending trade shows to promote products
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: trade shows, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3552/00
Source: “Attend trade shows to promote products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Standing on a stand at a trade show and meeting people in person is something only a person can do.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Stocking resources, samples or promotional or educational materials
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: resources, samples or promotional or educational materials, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 3552/00
Source: “Stock resources such as samples or promotional or educational materials.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Restocking samples and leaflets means physically handling and moving materials, which needs a person on the spot.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

What this job pays, and how many people do it

Median pay: £37,900a year, before tax, the middle of the range, so half earn more and half earn less.ashe-t14, 2025 · ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
How we know this
Source: ashe-t14
Reference period: ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)
Rounding: Shown to the nearest £100. The exact published figure is in the downloadable dataset. We do not render pounds the survey cannot support.
People doing this job: 161,000in the UK, 2026.nomis-aps · Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period)This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.

What is deliberately not here: a forecast of how many of these jobs exist in ten years. Where an official projection exists for a market we publish it with its vintage; where it does not, we leave the space empty rather than borrow the other country’s number.

Why this is shifting

The reason is boringly specific. Most of what is shifting here is reading one thing and writing another: customer orders in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: recording customer orders in the sales database and informing customers about prices and availability. What it cannot do is be trusted in person, which is what valuable relationships run on: someone specific doing it and standing behind it. Which is why this page talks about your tasks changing, not your job ending.

Your move

Over a pint: what I’d tell you if you were my friend

The exposed part of your job is the biggest part, and I am not going to dress that up: recording customer orders in the sales database is work today's tools do quickly and cheaply, and that is not coming back.

So, given all that: 46% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 9% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 46% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 57 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.

What you have that the software does not is building and maintaining valuable relationships with clients to enhance business partnerships, plus the years of knowing when something looks wrong before you can say why. That is the raw material for everything below.

This week: one thing

Sit on the machine's side of the desk. Pick one real piece of customer orders you would normally do yourself, let whatever software you already have take the first pass at it, and then go through what it produced and write down every single thing it got wrong. One evening this week. Do not fix anything yet. Just catch it.

What you end up holding: a written list of the machine’s mistakes, in your handwriting
How long it takes: an evening, or an hour if you pick one job rather than one client

If you can’t run software on your employer’s or your clients’ data: Do the same hunt on paper. Take one printed piece of customer orders, work through it the way you always do, and mark every point where you made a call rather than followed a rule. Same evening, same list, nothing to log into and nobody to ask permission from. That list is the same artifact: it is the judgment written down.

Over the next 90 days

Change one sentence about what you do. Not on a CV. Out loud, to whoever pays you. From “my job is recording customer orders in the sales database” to “I check what the software does and tell you what it means.” Your error list from this week is what makes that sentence true instead of a claim, so use it: show it once, to one person, inside the next ninety days. Same skills, priced as judgment rather than as typing.

Over the next 12 months

Walk toward the end of this job that answers for things, and get it recognised. Pick the one part of building and maintaining valuable relationships with clients to enhance business partnerships you are already best at, and spend the year making it formal: a qualification, a named responsibility, a specialism people ask for by name. Price it honestly: that is evenings, it is months rather than weeks, and the seats are competitive because everyone in your position is looking at the same door. Before you pay for anything, spend an hour with National Careers Service. It is free and government-funded, and it is listed below with the rest of the free routes.

The roads out of here, and why I am not sending you down them

I looked at the obvious moves out of this job, and here is what I found.

I checked the 12 nearest UK occupations to business sales executives (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was sales accounts and business development managers: only about 16% of its durable work is work you already do. Your own job splits about 46/54: that share of the list sits in the top exposure band and the rest does not. On this evidence the honest move is inside the job rather than out of it. Become the person who owns “achieve sales targets”, and let the exposed end go.

How that was checked: this job was compared against all 412 UK occupations in this release on their official task statements, and the 12 nearest were examined one by one. A move that turns on an industry, an employer or a qualification rather than on the work itself will not show up in a check like that. And this release carries no licence register, so anything you are weighing needs that looked up separately.

3 moves I checked and rejected

These are the obvious-looking jumps. They are here with their reasons rather than quietly dropped, because the ones that fail are worth knowing about. It is one less thing to turn over at night.

Sales accounts and business development managers
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “achieve sales targets”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 16% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 16% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Marketing, sales and advertising directors
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “achieve performance and sales targets by implementing effective strategies”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 13% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 13% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on. The pay gap is the market pricing a barrier: £94,135 against your £37,924 is 2.48× (ASHE Table 14.7a, 2025 provisional (both)), and you would be crossing it holding about 13% of their durable work. A gap that size with an overlap that small is a wish, not a route.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Managers and directors in retail and wholesale
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “achieve sales targets”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 10% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 10% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on.
Look at that job’s page anyway →

What I’d stop worrying about

A friend tells you what not to spend fear on. This is that list.

The headline number you read somewhere
The big “X% of jobs” figures are about the whole economy, not about you. The number that describes your job is on this page: 46% of its task weight, across 57 scored tasks. Every row behind it is printed above with the source. Check ours; ignore theirs.
“It’s too late for me to become something else”
You are not starting from zero, and the page shows why: building and maintaining valuable relationships with clients to enhance business partnerships is work the software cannot do and you already do it. The move above is a repricing of what you know, not a new career. Nobody who has just left college has that.
“I should learn to code”
Almost certainly not. The value in your job is moving toward checking, deciding and answering for the output, not toward writing the software. A weekend of Python will not change your position; the error list from this week will.
The “obvious” next job everyone suggests
I checked the obvious moves and most of them did not survive. The reasons are printed with the routes above, including the pay and the gate. A move that fails on the numbers is worth knowing about so you can stop turning it over at night.

You are reading the United Kingdom figures

The United States splits this work across more than one official group, of which First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers is the closest. The pay and employment figures are not directly comparable, and we do not average them together.

Switch to the United States page →partial match

The other groups this work is counted across:

In US official statistics this job is counted as First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers, Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel, Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products, Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products and Sales Engineers. Pay is shown separately for each of those groups (medians cannot be averaged together), while the task list and the scores on this page are for this group only.

Your route through this

Where to go next, and what it costs

Free, and complete

The moves above cost nothing. These are the real services that go with them: public, government-funded, and free at the point of use. Nothing on this page is behind an email address or a payment.

In England:
National Careers Service
A free hour with a government-funded careers adviser is worth more than another evening of reading. In England that's the National Careers Service.
Free, government-funded
- Discover your skills and careers (the skills assessment)
In England:
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No Space for this job, but one for what is happening to it

Nothing Collab365 runs is built for business sales executives, and we are not going to point you at the nearest one and call it a fit.

There is one that is not about a job title at all. The AI Authority is about being the person who directs these tools at work rather than the person they get compared to. That is worth saying here, because 46% of the work on this page is already inside what they can do.

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The AI Authority is a general community about working with AI, not a course for business sales executives. You do not need it to act on anything here: the moves above cost nothing and stand on their own. The data on this page is the same either way.

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No Space for business sales executives yet. Should there be one?

Collab365 Spaces is built by the same people as this site. We find the problems that AI and automation are creating inside one kind of work, then solve them as short courses, briefings and Blueprints. Each Space is the community too, so the research and the people doing your job are in the same place.

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Collab365 launches new communities where the need is real. If one for business sales executives existed, with researched problems, courses and people in the same boat, would you want in?

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This unlocks nothing. Every figure, every row and every step on this page is already yours, whether you fill this in or not.

No deadline on any of this. The page will still be here, and the data is refreshed on a published schedule rather than when someone wants a headline.

Questions people ask about this job

Will AI replace Business sales executives?: Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 57 official task statements scored for Business sales executives (United Kingdom, SOC 3552), 46% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 50 out of 100 (range 45–56, band: partial). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.
Which tasks in “Business sales executives” can AI already do?: The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Record customer orders in the sales database” (93/100, very high); “Maintain customer records to track sales interactions” (93/100, very high); “Complete sales reports to track business performance” (93/100, very high). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.
Which tasks in “Business sales executives” stay human?: About 46% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Stock resources such as samples or promotional or educational materials” (0/100, minimal); “Attend trade shows to promote products” (0/100, minimal); “Attend conferences, seminars, and training sessions to stay informed about field developments” (8/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.
What should someone working in “Business sales executives” do about AI?: Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 46% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 46% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.
How is the AI exposure score for Business sales executives calculated?: Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 57 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

Where these numbers come from

About the data on this page

Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.
The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
23 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.

Task statements: gaisi-indexProcessing: catalogue-bridge → ssc-relatedness-weighting → task-scoring → score-aggregation
Task weights: gaisi-index (relatedness)
Scores: Rubric task_scoring_v1.0, model claude-opus-5, computed 2026-08-05.
Pay and employment: ashe-t14 (ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025))nomis-aps (Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period))

Figures on this page come from release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Every release keeps its own permanent address, so a figure you cite in March is still there, unchanged, in November.

The plain-English wording on this page is assembled directly from the task statements and the published ratings, not written by hand for this occupation. That is why it is specific, and it is also why we say so.

The routes and free resources further up are today’s, not the release’s (last reviewed 2026-08-05). A route is an offer, not a historical fact, so it moves on its own clock.

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Cite this

Everything on this site is published under CC BY 4.0. Quote it, chart it, sell something built on it. Just say where it came from, and cite the dated release rather than the site, so the figure you quote stays checkable.

Plain text

Collab365 (2026). Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1 (methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0). https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Built with O*NET data (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); ONS data (Open Government Licence v3.0); GAISI task framework (arXiv:2507.22748, MIT); BLS data (public domain).

BibTeX

@misc{collab365futureproof2026q41,
  title        = {Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1},
  author       = {{Collab365}},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1},
  note         = {Release 2026-q4.1, methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0, CC BY 4.0}
}

Permalink

https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1

Data as of release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Releases never change after publication; when the figures move, a new dated release is published beside this one and this one stays exactly where it is.