UK dataswitch to US
Personal assistants and other secretaries
arranging appointments for clients and staff across various sectors, screening phone calls, enquiries and requests and handling them and taking and relaying messages accurately to relevant parties. If that's your week, this page is about your job.
The honest answer
Most tasks in this job are the kind AI has learned to do: typing documents. The tasks, though, are not you.
It would be a lie to soften that, and another lie to promise a rebuilt version of this job inside this job.
So the hope here is what you already carry: the judgment you bring to visitors is real, and the moves below are built from it. The first step is down this page.
Your week, as this page understands it
Personal assistants and other secretaries provide administrative and secretarial support to individuals, departmental or management teams within organisations. The job title says “personal assistants” or “other secretaries”: officially one job, two names. The real job is the part underneath: greeting and assisting visitors to the office or workplace. 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 personal assistants and other secretaries is not one task. It is 63 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is greeting and assisting visitors to the office or workplace, and the ledger below shows exactly why.
Where the work sits, by task weight
- shifting to AI
- 76%
- changing shape
- 10%
- staying human
- 15%
These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.
Whole-job exposure score 65 out of 100 (60–71 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, across 63 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 personal assistants and other secretaries 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.
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.
- One row is marked low confidence, so treat it as a ballpark rather than a fine measurement.
- 22 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
47 tasksTasks 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.
Arranging appointments for clients and staff across various sectors
This is reading one thing and writing another: appointments in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 90 · 4215/02Source: “Arrange appointments for clients and staff across various sectors.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 85 out of 100 (81–89 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: Booking appointments is scheduling work that online systems already do from start to finish.
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 4/4.
Transferring telephone calls
This is reading one thing and writing another: telephone calls in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 4215/02Source: “Transfer telephone calls as necessary.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 85 out of 100 (81–89 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: Routing calls to the right person is already handled automatically in most phone systems.
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 4/4.
Arranging meeting bookings for office personnel
This is reading one thing and writing another: bookings in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 4215/02Source: “Arrange meeting bookings for office personnel.” (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: Finding a slot everyone can make is a scheduling problem software already solves.
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.
Scheduling appointments for clients, customers or supervisors
This is reading one thing and writing another: appointments in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 4215/02Source: “Schedule appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.” (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: Booking appointments against a diary is routine scheduling that software does 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.
Changing shape
7 tasksTasks 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.
Planning and coordinating meetings and events
The software now makes the first pass at meetings, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 4215/02Source: “Plan and coordinate meetings and events.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 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; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Planning is desk work, but running an event on the day needs someone there.
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 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Managing paper and electronic filing systems
The software now makes the first pass at paper, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 4215/02Source: “Manage paper and electronic filing systems.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 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; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Electronic filing can be run automatically, though paper records still have to be handled by hand.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Recording information and updating paperwork in filing systems
The software now makes the first pass at information, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 4215/02Source: “Record information and update paperwork in filing systems.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 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; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Updating records is routine, though paper files still need handling.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Staying human
9 tasksTasks 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.
Greeting visitors or callers and providing initial assistance
This work happens in the physical world: visitors, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 4215/02Source: “Greet visitors or callers and provide initial assistance.” (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: Calls can be handled automatically, but greeting visitors who walk in cannot.
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.
Attending meetings to support the manager
This work happens in the physical world: meetings, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 4215/02Source: “Attend meetings to support the manager.” (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: Note-taking tools can join a meeting, but supporting a manager in the room is a person's role.
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.
Greeting and assisting visitors to the office or workplace
This work happens in the physical world: visitors, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 4215/02Source: “Greet and assist visitors to the office or workplace.” (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: Meeting visitors at the door needs someone physically present.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Show the other 53 tasks
Typing documents
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: documents in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 4215/01Source: “Type documents as required.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 100 out of 100 (96–100 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: Turning notes or dictation into typed documents is one of the things AI does fastest and most accurately.
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 4/4.
Checking completed work
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: completed work in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 4215/02Source: “Check completed work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 100 out of 100 (96–100 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: Checking spelling, grammar and formatting is the task computers have done best for longest.
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 4/4.
Distributing meeting notes, routine correspondence or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical or monthly reports
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: notes, routine correspondence or reports in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 4215/02Source: “Distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports.” (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: Sending out notes and reports to the right people is a routine distribution job.
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.
Drafting responses to routine enquiries received via correspondence
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: responses in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 4215/02Source: “Draft responses to routine enquiries received via correspondence.” (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: Drafting replies to routine enquiries is one of the things AI does most 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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Performing word processing, desktop publishing and email management using computers
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: word processing, desktop publishing and email management in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 4215/02Source: “Perform word processing, desktop publishing, and email management using computers.” (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: Word processing, layout and email handling are computer tasks that software already automates.
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.
Using computers to manage and update organisational databases
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: computers in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 4215/02Source: “Use computers to manage and update organisational databases.” (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: Updating database records is straightforward data handling that software does at speed.
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.
Attaching reviewed records to correspondence
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: reviewed records in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 4215/02Source: “Attach reviewed records to correspondence as necessary.” (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: Attaching the right documents to correspondence is a routine filing step software can do.
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.
Ensuring the style and format of documents comply with agreed protocols
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: the style in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 4215/02Source: “Ensure the style and format of documents comply with agreed protocols.” (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: Checking that documents follow agreed style and format rules is consistent rule-application software does well.
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 operational forms to facilitate business processes
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: operational forms in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 4215/02Source: “Complete operational forms to facilitate business processes.” (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: Filling in standard forms from existing records is routine work software completes accurately.
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.
Entering information into databases
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: information in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 4215/02Source: “Enter information into databases.” (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: Data entry is highly repetitive screen work that is already widely automated.
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.
Maintaining payroll records to manage agricultural staff payments
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: payroll records in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 4215/01Source: “Maintain payroll records to manage agricultural staff payments.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 81 out of 100 (77–85 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: Payroll records follow fixed rules and calculations, though the final figures still go to someone accountable.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing and processing requisitions and purchasing orders for supplies and equipment
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: requisitions in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 4215/01Source: “Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 81 out of 100 (77–85 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: Raising requisitions and purchase orders from a catalogue is routine system work, with a budget holder approving the spend.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Maintaining timekeeping information for payroll processing
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: information in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 4215/02Source: “Maintain timekeeping information for payroll processing.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 81 out of 100 (77–85 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: Timesheet data feeds a fixed calculation, with payroll still signed off by someone accountable.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Arranging travel itineraries for business trips
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: travel itineraries in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 4215/02Source: “Arrange travel itineraries for business trips.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (72–86 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 an itinerary from flights, trains and hotels is a search and booking job software does well.
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.
Performing administrative tasks relevant to the job role
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: this work in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 4215/01Source: “Perform administrative tasks relevant to the job role.” (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: General office administration is screen-based, documented work software supports strongly.
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 operational records for farms or smallholdings
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: operational records in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 4215/01Source: “Maintain operational records for farms or smallholdings.” (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: Keeping farm records up to date is data entry, but the figures still come from what happens in the fields.
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 specific reports as required by organisational guidelines
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: specific reports in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 4215/01Source: “Prepare specific reports as required by organisational guidelines.” (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: Writing a report to a set format is drafting work AI does well once it has the underlying figures.
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.
Using Management Information Systems to record and analyse farming data for decision-making
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: management information systems in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 4215/01Source: “Use Management Information Systems to record and analyse farming data for decision-making.” (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: Pulling farm data into a system and analysing it is exactly what reporting software is built for.
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 office and information systems for efficient operation
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: office in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 4215/02Source: “Maintain office and information systems for efficient operation.” (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: Office and information systems are documented and largely run themselves once set up properly.
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.
Creating presentations based on meeting outcomes to summarise key points and actions
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: presentations in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 4215/02Source: “Create presentations based on meeting outcomes to summarise key points and actions.” (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: Turning meeting outcomes into slides is drafting work AI does well from good notes.
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 conference or event materials
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: conference in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 4215/02Source: “Prepare conference or event materials, such as flyers or invitations.” (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: Flyers and invitations can be drafted and designed quickly, though the event details come from the office.
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.
Producing documents to support business operations
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: documents in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 4215/02Source: “Produce documents to support business operations.” (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: Producing business documents is drafting work AI handles well once it has the underlying detail.
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.
Building and maintaining databases to support organisational operations and data management
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: databases in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 4215/02Source: “Build and maintain databases to support organisational operations and data management.” (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: Software writes most database code, but how a business's data should be structured is a design decision.
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 detailed reports to communicate business performance metrics
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: detailed reports in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 4215/02Source: “Prepare detailed reports to communicate business performance metrics.” (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: Performance reports come readily from data the business already 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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Producing reports on activities and progress following these meetings
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: reports in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 4215/02Source: “Produce reports on activities and progress following these meetings.” (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: Writing up what was agreed and what happens next is drafting work AI does well from notes.
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.
Monitoring updates in tax and financial legislation to maintain legal compliance
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: updates in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 4215/01Source: “Monitor updates in tax and financial legislation to maintain legal compliance.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 72 out of 100 (68–76 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: Tax and finance law changes are published openly, so tracking them is straightforward reading and summarising.
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 4/4.
Carrying out background research and presenting findings
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: background research in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 4215/02Source: “Carrying out background research and presenting findings.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 70 out of 100 (66–74 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: Gathering background material and writing it up is research and drafting, which AI is strong at.
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 4/4.
Filing documents to maintain organised records
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: documents in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 4215/01Source: “File documents to maintain organised records.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 69 out of 100 (65–73 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: Digital filing is largely automatic, though paper still has to be put away by hand.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Coordinating stock and ordering activities
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: stock in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 4215/01Source: “Coordinate stock and ordering activities.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 69 out of 100 (62–76 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: Stock and ordering run on system data, so reordering can largely be automated, with some checking on site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Maintaining attendance records for educational or organisational purposes
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: attendance records in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 4215/02Source: “Maintain attendance records for educational or organisational purposes.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 69 out of 100 (62–76 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: Registers are digital and largely automatic, though someone still sees who is actually present.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Developing procedures to comply with government regulations ensuring facility safety
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: procedures in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 50 · 4215/01Source: “Develop procedures to comply with government regulations ensuring facility safety, security, and maintenance.” (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: Drafting procedures from published regulations is writing work AI handles, with someone accountable signing them off.
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.
Coordinating clerical and record-keeping activities
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: clerical and record-keeping activities in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 4215/01Source: “Coordinate clerical and record-keeping activities.” (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: Organising filing and record routines is desk work, though it depends on knowing how the office runs.
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.
Ordering equipment to support agricultural activities
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: equipment in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 50 · 4215/01Source: “Order equipment to support agricultural activities.” (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: Ordering equipment is routine purchasing, though it needs knowing what the farm actually needs.
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 AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: meetings in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 4215/02Source: “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.
Managing diaries for various administrative and supporting roles
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: diaries in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 4215/02Source: “Manage diaries for various administrative and support roles.” (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: Diary management is scheduling logic software handles, with occasional judgement about competing priorities.
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.
Responding to letters, emails and telephone calls
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: letters, emails and telephone calls in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 4215/02Source: “Respond to letters, emails, and telephone calls.” (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: Drafting replies is quick for AI, though deciding what to say for the manager needs judgement.
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.
Handling their enquiries or directing them to the appropriate persons according to their needs
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: their enquiries in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 4215/02Source: “Handle their enquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.” (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: Answering or passing on an enquiry follows patterns, though some judgement about who deals with it is needed.
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 callers with accurate information and assistance
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: callers in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 4215/02Source: “Provide callers with accurate information and assistance.” (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: Giving callers accurate information is answerable from records, which AI can search instantly.
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.
Responding to public enquiries
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: public enquiries in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 4215/02Source: “Respond to public enquiries.” (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: Answering common public questions is documented work already handled by automated services.
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.
Screening phone calls, enquiries and requests and handling them
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: phone calls, enquiries and requests and handling them in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 4215/02Source: “Screen phone calls, enquiries, and requests, and handle them when appropriate.” (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: Screening depends on knowing who matters to the manager, though the sorting itself can be automated.
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.
Taking and relaying messages accurately to relevant parties
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: messages in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 4215/02Source: “Take and relay messages accurately to relevant parties.” (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: Capturing a message and passing it on is simple, well-documented work software handles.
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.
Sorting and responding to incoming emails on behalf of the manager
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: incoming emails in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 4215/02Source: “Sort and respond to incoming emails on behalf of the manager.” (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: Sorting email is easy to automate, but replying as the manager needs care about tone and priorities.
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.
Preparing briefings to inform stakeholders about organisational developments
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: briefings in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 4215/02Source: “Prepare briefings to inform stakeholders about organisational developments.” (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: Briefings can be drafted quickly, but knowing what stakeholders need to hear takes inside knowledge.
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.
Monitoring and implementing updates to health and safety laws
changing shapeThe software now makes the first pass at updates, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 50 · 4215/01Source: “Monitor and implement updates to health and safety laws.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 54 out of 100 (47–61 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; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Health and safety law is published openly, but putting changes into practice happens on the premises.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Perusing farm accounts and using financial expertise to interpret them and advise on taxation
changing shapeThe software now makes the first pass at farm accounts, but someone has to be answerable for the result, and it cannot be the software. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 4215/01Source: “Peruse farm accounts and use financial expertise to interpret them and advise on taxation.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 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; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Software can read the accounts, but tax advice is expected to come from someone properly qualified.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Arranging the repair of farm buildings
changing shapeThe software now makes the first pass at the repair of farm buildings, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 50 · 4215/01Source: “Arrange the repair of farm buildings, machinery, and equipment.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 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: Booking in a repair is phone and paperwork, though it helps to have seen what is broken.
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 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Coordinating repairs for malfunctioning equipment or machinery
changing shapeThe software now makes the first pass at repairs, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 50 · 4215/02Source: “Coordinate repairs for malfunctioning equipment or machinery.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 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: Arranging a repair is phone and paperwork, though someone usually has to see the fault first.
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 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Opening, sorting and distributing incoming correspondence, including faxes and email
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: correspondence, including faxes and email, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 4215/02Source: “Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 38 out of 100 (31–45 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: Email can be sorted and routed automatically, but opening and passing round physical post still needs someone in the office.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Implementing policies
staying humanThe ratings behind this row put policies well outside what today's tools can do on their own.
importance 60 · 4215/01Source: “Implement policies.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 32 out of 100 (20–44 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, low confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Putting a policy into practice depends on people changing what they do, not on producing a document.
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.
Supervising administrative work and managing clerical staff
staying humanThe value here is that a specific person handles administrative work and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 60 · 4215/02Source: “Supervise administrative work and manage clerical staff.” (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: Supervising clerical staff depends on the supervisor being around and known to the team.
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.
Managing the processing of incoming and outgoing post and deliveries
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: the processing, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 4215/02Source: “Manage the processing of incoming and outgoing post and deliveries.” (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 same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Post has to be physically sorted, carried and dispatched.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Operating office machines, photocopiers, scanners and personal computers
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: office machines, photocopiers, scanners and personal computers, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 4215/02Source: “Operate office machines including photocopiers, scanners, and personal computers.” (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 same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Photocopiers and scanners need someone to load and operate the machine.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Sorting and distributing incoming post within the office
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: post within the office, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 4215/02Source: “Sort and distribute incoming post within the office.” (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 rating behind it: Physical post has to be picked up and carried to desks.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · 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 2/4.
What this job pays, and how many people do it
- Median pay
- £35,000a 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
- 133,700in 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: telephone calls in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: typing documents and arranging appointments for clients and staff across various sectors. What it cannot do is be there in the room, and that is still where visitors get done. 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: typing documents is work today's tools do quickly and cheaply, and that is not coming back.
So, given all that: 76% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 10% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 15% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 63 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.
What you have that the software does not is greeting and assisting visitors to the office or workplace, 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 telephone calls 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 telephone calls, 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 typing documents” 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 greeting and assisting visitors to the office or workplace 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 personal assistants and other secretaries (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was school secretaries: only about 20% of its durable work is work you already do and it pays 24.3% less. I am not going to pretend that is comfortable news: 76% of your own task list is already in the top exposure band. But the answer on this evidence is not a sideways jump into a job with the same problem. It is to walk toward the end of this one that answers for things. “attend meetings to support the manager” is the part that stays with a person, and spending a year getting formally recognised for it beats a standing start somewhere else.
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.
School secretaries
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “greet visitors or callers and provide initial assistance”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 20% 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 20% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on. It is a pay cut, in those words: £26,463 against your £34,954, 24.3% less (ASHE Table 14.7a, 2025 provisional (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.
Officers of non-governmental organisations
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “greet visitors or callers and provide initial assistance”. 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. It is a pay cut, in those words: £31,008 against your £34,954, 11.3% less (ASHE Table 14.7a, 2025 provisional (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.
Other administrative occupations n.e.c.
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already develop procedures to comply with government regulations ensuring facility safety, security, and maintenance, and their equivalent is to ensure facilities comply with relevant health and safety legislation. Across both published task lists that is about 11% of the durable work in that job.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 11% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on. I will not move you off one melting floe onto another: 64% of its own task list already scores in the top exposure band (62/100 in this release), so the same software is eating it. It is a pay cut, in those words: £28,294 against your £34,954, 19.1% less (ASHE Table 14.7a, 2025 provisional (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.
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: 76% of its task weight, across 63 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: greeting and assisting visitors to the office or workplace 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 Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners 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 Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners, Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants and Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive. 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
Two honest options, and no deadline on either
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:
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
In England:
National Careers Service - Find a course
Search what's actually running near you before you spend anything.
Free to search; individual courses vary
In England:
Free courses for jobs (Level 3 qualifications)
A free Level 3 qualification you already qualify for beats a paid course you don't need.
Free for eligible adults
In England:
Free, up to 16 weeks, and you get a job interview at the end. In England these are Skills Bootcamps - search what's running near you.
Free for eligible adults in England
In Scotland:
My World of Work (Skills Development Scotland)
In Scotland it's My World of Work, from Skills Development Scotland.
Free, publicly funded
In Wales:
In Wales it's Careers Wales.
Free, Welsh Government-funded
In Northern Ireland:
Careers Service Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland it's the Careers Service on nidirect.
Free, Department for the Economy-funded
A guided route for this
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.
Microsoft 365 Productivity Workers is built for coordinators, administrators, team leads and project owners who live in Outlook, Teams, meetings, files and task lists (the people this page is about). It works on the part of your job that is growing rather than shrinking: running someone else's diary, papers and follow-ups as one system, so the drafting a machine can do is the small part.
- Problem: “My Outlook triage eats the first hour of every day”
- Problem: “My weekly Excel tracker is updated by copy/paste, and I don’t trust the numbers anymore”
Try Microsoft 365 Productivity Workers free →
7 days free, no card needed. Explore up to 2 Spaces before you choose a plan: you pick a plan later, not now.
After the trial it is a paid community, and you get identical data either way. If the overlap above is not your job, the moves above cost nothing and stand on their own.
Noted, and thank you. We’ll email you if a Space for personal assistants launches. Nothing else.
That did not look like an email address, so nothing was saved. Have another go below.
We could not save that. The fault is ours, not yours, and your address was not stored. Please try again later.
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 Personal assistants and other secretaries?
- Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 63 official task statements scored for Personal assistants and other secretaries (United Kingdom, SOC 4215), 76% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 65 out of 100 (range 60–71, band: high). 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 “Personal assistants and other secretaries” can AI already do?
- The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Type documents as required” (100/100, very high); “Check completed work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format” (100/100, very high); “Distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports” (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 “Personal assistants and other secretaries” stay human?
- About 15% 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: “Sort and distribute incoming post within the office” (0/100, minimal); “Greet and assist visitors to the office or workplace” (0/100, minimal); “Operate office machines including photocopiers, scanners, and personal computers” (10/100, 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 “Personal assistants and other secretaries” do about AI?
- Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 76% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 15% 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 Personal assistants and other secretaries 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 63 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.
- One row is marked low confidence, so treat it as a ballpark rather than a fine measurement.
- The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
- 22 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.
Using these figures?
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}
}Data as of release 2026-q4.1, published . 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.