Will AI replace Computer Network Architects?

Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 59 official task statements scored for Computer Network Architects (United States, SOC 15-1241), 52% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 57 out of 100 (range 51–63, 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 “Computer Network Architects” can AI already do?

The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Prepare system activity and performance reports” (93/100, very high); “Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools” (93/100, very high); “Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity” (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 “Computer Network Architects” stay human?

About 30% 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: “Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways” (0/100, minimal); “Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices” (7/100, minimal); “Maintain or coordinate the maintenance of network peripherals, such as printers” (9/100, 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 “Computer Network Architects” do about AI?

Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 52% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 30% 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 Computer Network Architects 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 59 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.

US dataswitch to UK

Computer Network Architects

developing disaster recovery plans, developing network-related documentation and implementing or performing preventive maintenance. If that's your week, this page is about your job.

The honest answer

This job is splitting in two: maintaining networks by performing activities is work AI now does quickly and cheaply, and inspecting sites to determine physical configuration 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: 52%
changing shape: 17%
staying human: 30%

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

Whole-job exposure score 57 out of 100 (51–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, across 59 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 computer network architects 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. Moving toward the second half is a real, doable plan.

Your week, as this page understands it

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software. The job title says “computer network architects”. The real job is the part underneath: inspecting sites to determine physical configuration. 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 computer network architects is not one task. It is 59 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is inspecting sites to determine physical configuration, and the ledger below shows exactly why.

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 52%
changing shape: 17%
staying human: 30%

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.

11 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

31 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.

Developing disaster recovery plans
This is reading one thing and writing another: disaster recovery plans in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Develop disaster recovery plans.” (O*NET 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: Disaster recovery plans follow published templates software can draft closely.
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.
Developing or recommending network security measures
This is reading one thing and writing another: network security measures in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.” (O*NET 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: Firewall rules and audit plans are heavily documented, so drafts come easily and then get reviewed.
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 networks by performing activities
This is reading one thing and writing another: networks in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.” (O*NET 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: Adding, deleting and backing up files is routine work that scripts already handle.
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.
Reviewing and evaluating requests from engineers
This is reading one thing and writing another: requests in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications.” (O*NET 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 and assessing change requests follows criteria that can be applied consistently by software.
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.

Changing shape

10 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.

Developing and implementing solutions for network problems
The software now makes the first pass at solutions, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Develop and implement solutions for network problems.” (O*NET 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: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Diagnosis can be automated, but putting the fix into a live network still needs the engineer.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Consulting with users, administrators and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases
The software now makes the first pass at users, administrators and engineers, 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 4 · Core
Source: “Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.” (O*NET 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: Requirements come out of conversations with the people who will use the system.
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.
Developing conceptual, logical or physical network designs
The software now makes the first pass at conceptual, logical or physical network designs, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Develop conceptual, logical, or physical network designs.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 58 out of 100 (51–65 allowing for uncertainty): partial 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: Software offers a solid reference design, but a real site's constraints mean serious rework.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Staying human

18 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.

Keeping abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature
This work happens in the physical world: abreast of changes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.” (O*NET 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 same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Reading can be summarized automatically, though workshops and colleagues are how much of this happens.
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 4/4.
Coordinating network operations, maintenance, repairs or upgrades
The value here is that a specific person handles network operations, maintenance, repairs or upgrades and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.” (O*NET 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: Scheduling is easy to automate; getting teams and vendors to move together is not.
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.
Assessing existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems
This work happens in the physical world: facilities' needs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems.” (O*NET 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: Assessing a building's needs means walking it and seeing what is already there.
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.

Show the other 49 tasks

Preparing system activity and performance reports
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: system activity in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 3 · Core
Source: “Prepare system activity and performance reports.” (O*NET 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: These reports are generated from system logs, which is largely automated already.
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.
Preparing purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: purchase requisitions in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools.” (O*NET 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: Requisitions are forms filled in from catalogs and price lists.
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 and analyzing system performance
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: system performance in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity.” (O*NET 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: Watching traffic, security and capacity data for patterns is a natural fit for automation.
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.
Documenting user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status and completed equipment installations
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: user support activity in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations.” (O*NET 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: Logging problems and how they were resolved is routine record-keeping.
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.
Documenting technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: technical specifications in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment.” (O*NET 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: Writing technical documentation from known specifications is one of the things software 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.
Documenting procedures for hardware and software installation
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: procedures in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use.” (O*NET 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: Procedure documents draw on abundant published material and existing configurations.
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.
Developing and writing procedures
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: procedures in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Develop and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or software.” (O*NET 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: Procedure writing draws on huge amounts of published vendor material.
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.
Developing network-related documentation
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: network-related documentation in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Develop network-related documentation.” (O*NET 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: Writing up a network from its own configuration files is a strong fit for automation.
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.
Developing procedures to track, project or report network availability, reliability, capacity or utilization
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: procedures in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 3 · Core
Source: “Develop procedures to track, project, or report network availability, reliability, capacity, or utilization.” (O*NET 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: Reporting on uptime and capacity is the sort of measurement work that gets 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.
Monitoring and analyzing network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: network performance in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Monitor and analyze network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.” (O*NET 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: Spotting bottlenecks in traffic data is pattern-finding, which software does faster than people.
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.
Determining specific network hardware or software requirements
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: specific network hardware in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Determine specific network hardware or software requirements, such as platforms, interfaces, bandwidths, or routine schemas.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (76–90 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: Platform, interface and bandwidth choices are made against thoroughly published specifications.
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.
Preparing detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations or recommended technologies
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, or recommended technologies.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (76–90 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: Specifications and diagrams are structured documents that generate well from the design data.
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.
Managing user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: user access in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Manage user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration.” (O*NET 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: Creating accounts and handling passwords is rule-based admin that identity systems already automate.
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 design presentations and proposals for staff or customers
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: design presentations in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 3 · Core
Source: “Prepare design presentations and proposals for staff or customers.” (O*NET 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: Turning a design into a proposal or deck is document work software does 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 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Estimating costs for system or component implementation and operation
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: costs in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.” (O*NET 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: Costing a system from known prices and quantities is calculation and comparison 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.
Developing, maintaining or implementing telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: telecommunications disaster recovery plans in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.” (O*NET 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: Continuity plans follow published patterns and the records of existing systems.
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 computer-aided design, CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations or new systems
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: computer-aided design in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 3 · Core
Source: “Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems.” (O*NET 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 and checking network diagrams from known layouts is computer 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.
Implementing controls to provide security for operating systems
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: controls in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data.” (O*NET 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: Security settings and controls follow documented baselines that software can apply.
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.
Adjusting network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: network sizes in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.” (O*NET 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: Resizing capacity is increasingly a configuration change driven by usage data.
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.
Developing or maintaining project reporting systems
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: project reporting systems in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 3 · Supplemental
Source: “Develop or maintain project reporting systems.” (O*NET 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 reporting from project data is a documented, repeatable job.
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.
Developing plans or budgets for network equipment replacement
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: plans in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Develop plans or budgets for network equipment replacement.” (O*NET 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: Replacement planning runs on inventory data, equipment lifecycles and price lists.
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.
Estimating time and materials needed to complete projects
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: time in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 3 · Core
Source: “Estimate time and materials needed to complete projects.” (O*NET 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: Estimating from past projects and price lists is number work that software does 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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Evaluating network designs to determine whether customer requirements are met efficiently and effectively
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: network designs in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Evaluate network designs to determine whether customer requirements are met efficiently and effectively.” (O*NET 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: Checking a design against stated requirements is structured comparison software does 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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing or monitoring project schedules
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: project schedules in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 3 · Core
Source: “Prepare or monitor project schedules, budgets, or cost control systems.” (O*NET 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: Schedules and cost tracking are standard project paperwork, though chasing progress needs 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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Using network computer-aided design, CAD) software packages to optimize network designs
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: network computer-aided design, cad) software packages in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 3 · Core
Source: “Use network computer-aided design (CAD) software packages to optimize network designs.” (O*NET 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: Optimizing a diagram against known constraints is a computation.
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.
Communicating with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: telecommunications vendors in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 70 out of 100 (63–77 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: Pricing and specification gathering is research against published catalogs.
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.
Communicating with system users to ensure accounts are set up properly or to diagnose and solve operational problems
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: system users in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Communicate with system users to ensure accounts are set up properly or to diagnose and solve operational problems.” (O*NET 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: Standard account and fault questions are handled well by automated support, with people for awkward ones.
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.
Implementing or performing preventive maintenance
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at preventive maintenance, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures.” (O*NET 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: Backups and routine maintenance are largely scripted, with occasional hands on the hardware.
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.
Ordering or maintaining inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at inventory of telecommunications equipment, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Order or maintain inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment (CPE), facilities, access networks, or backbone networks.” (O*NET 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: Ordering is automatic; counting and moving stock is not.
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.
Explaining design specifications to integration or testing engineers
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at design specifications, 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 3 · Core
Source: “Explain design specifications to integration or test engineers.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 53 out of 100 (46–60 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: Specifications can be written clearly by software, but engineers ask their questions of a colleague.
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.
Communicating with vendors to gather information about products
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at vendors, 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 4 · Core
Source: “Communicate with vendors to gather information about products, alert them to future needs, resolve problems, or address system maintenance issues.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 53 out of 100 (46–60 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: Product questions can be researched automatically, though resolving problems relies on the vendor relationship.
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 user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at user support, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions.” (O*NET 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: Common faults have documented fixes software can walk through; the stubborn ones need an engineer.
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.
Communicating with customers, sales staff or marketing staff to determine customer needs
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at customers, sales staff or marketing staff, 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 4 · Core
Source: “Communicate with customers, sales staff, or marketing staff to determine customer needs.” (O*NET 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: Working out what a customer actually needs comes from conversation.
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.
Coordinating network or designing activities with designers of associated networks
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at network, 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 3 · Core
Source: “Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks.” (O*NET 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: Fitting two networks together takes back-and-forth between the people who own them.
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.
Designing, organizing and delivering 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 3 · Core
Source: “Design, organize, and deliver product awareness, skills transfer, or product education sessions for staff or suppliers.” (O*NET 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: Materials can be generated, but running the session with staff or suppliers is a live job.
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.
Instructing in use of voice
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles use of voice and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Instruct in use of voice, video, and data communications systems.” (O*NET 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: Guides can be generated, but teaching people to use the system happens live.
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.
Testing and evaluating hardware and software to determine efficiency
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: hardware, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Supplemental
Source: “Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, or compatibility with existing systems.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 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: Real testing needs the equipment in front of you.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Designing, building or operating equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers or server operation systems
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 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: Designs can be drafted automatically, but building and running a prototype rig is hands-on.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Researching and testing new or modified hardware or software products to determine performance and interoperability
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: new or modified hardware or software products, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 3 · Core
Source: “Research and test new or modified hardware or software products to determine performance and interoperability.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 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: Testing whether products actually work together needs real equipment on a bench.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Coordinating installation of new equipment
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: installation of new equipment, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Coordinate installation of new equipment.” (O*NET 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: Someone has to be on site while the equipment goes in, even if the plan is drafted automatically.
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.
Participating in network technology upgrade or expansion projects
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: network technology upgrade, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Participate in network technology upgrade or expansion projects, including installation of hardware and software and integration testing.” (O*NET 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: Racking hardware and testing it in place keeps people on site.
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.
Visiting vendors
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: vendors, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 3 · Supplemental
Source: “Visit vendors, attend conferences or training sessions, or study technical journals to keep up with changes in technology.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 17 out of 100 (10–24 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 rating behind it: Reading can be summarized automatically, but conferences and vendor visits mean travel and being there.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · 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.
Supervising engineers or other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles engineers and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Supervise engineers or other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 13 out of 100 (6–20 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Supervising a design team runs on trust and daily contact with the people doing the work.
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.
Supervising maintenance of telecommunications equipment
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: maintenance of telecommunications equipment, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 3 · Supplemental
Source: “Supervise maintenance of telecommunications equipment.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 11 out of 100 (4–18 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium 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: Overseeing maintenance means being near the equipment and the crew.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · 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 2/4.
Implementing system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: system renovation projects, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 11 out of 100 (4–18 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium 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: A renovation happens in a building with contractors, not on a screen.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · 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 2/4.
Installing or coordinating installation
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: installation, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 9 out of 100 (5–13 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: Fitting equipment into a telecom system is physical work on site.
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 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Maintaining or coordinating the maintenance of network peripherals
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: the maintenance of network peripherals, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 3 · Supplemental
Source: “Maintain or coordinate the maintenance of network peripherals, such as printers.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 9 out of 100 (5–13 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: Printers and similar equipment need someone standing in front of them.
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 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Working with personnel and facilities management staff
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: personnel, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices.” (O*NET task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 7 out of 100 (3–11 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Moving connectivity equipment around a building is physical work.
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 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Inspecting sites to determine physical configuration
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: sites, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 4 · Core
Source: “Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways.” (O*NET 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: You cannot see where the conduit runs without going to the building.
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: $134,050a year, the middle of the range, so half earn more and half earn less.bls-oews, 2025 · May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx)
How we know this
Source: bls-oews
Reference period: May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx)
Rounding: Shown as published.
People doing this job: 179,740in the US, 2025.bls-oews · May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx)

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: disaster recovery plans in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: maintaining networks by performing activities and developing disaster recovery plans. What it cannot do is be there in the room, and that is still where sites 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: maintaining networks by performing activities is work today's tools do quickly and cheaply, and that is not coming back.

So, given all that: 52% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 17% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 30% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 59 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.

What you have that the software does not is inspecting sites to determine physical configuration, 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 disaster recovery plans 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 disaster recovery plans, 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 maintaining networks by performing activities” 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 inspecting sites to determine physical configuration 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, use CareerOneStop - Find local training. It is free, it is the Labor Department's own service, 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 US occupations to computer network architects (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was computer network support specialists: only about 8% of its durable work is work you already do, it is under the same pressure this job is and it pays 43.1% less. Your own job splits about 52/48: 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 “develop and implement solutions for network problems”, and let the exposed end go.

How that was checked: this job was compared against all 830 US 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.

Computer Network Support Specialists
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades, and their equivalent is to perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment. Across both published task lists that is about 7% of the durable work in that job.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 7% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step. I will not move you off one melting floe onto another: 66% of its own task list already scores in the top exposure band (66/100 in this release), so the same software is eating it. It is a pay cut, in those words: $76,220 against your $134,050, 43.1% less (OEWS May 2025 (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already develop disaster recovery plans, and their equivalent is to test documented disaster recovery strategies and plans. Across both published task lists that is about 6% of the durable work in that job.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 6% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step. I will not move you off one melting floe onto another: 60% 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: $83,050 against your $134,050, 38.0% less (OEWS May 2025 (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already develop and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or…, and their equivalent is to diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and…. Across both published task lists that is about 4% of the durable work in that job.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 4% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step. I will not move you off one melting floe onto another: 65% of its own task list already scores in the top exposure band (60/100 in this release), so the same software is eating it. It is a pay cut, in those words: $99,130 against your $134,050, 26.0% less (OEWS May 2025 (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.
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: 52% of its task weight, across 59 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: inspecting sites to determine physical configuration 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 States figures

The United Kingdom splits this work across more than one official group, of which IT network professionals is the closest. The pay and employment figures are not directly comparable, and we do not average them together.

Switch to the United Kingdom page →partial match

In UK official statistics this job is counted as IT network professionals. Pay and employment stay on this page’s own group; the task list and the scores do not cross over.

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.

Anywhere in the US:
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No Space for this job, but one for what is happening to it

Nothing Collab365 runs is built for computer network architects, 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 52% of the work on this page is already inside what they can do.

Try The AI Authority free →

7 days free, no card needed. Explore up to 2 Spaces before you choose a plan: you pick a plan later, not now.

The AI Authority is a general community about working with AI, not a course for computer network architects. 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.

Noted, and thank you. We’ll email you if a Space for computer network architects launches. Nothing else.

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No Space for computer network architects 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.

What a Space actually is, in full

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

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We use your email address for one thing: to tell you if a Space for computer network architects launches. We never sell it, never use it for unrelated marketing, and every email has a one-click unsubscribe. Our privacy policy has the full version.

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 Computer Network Architects?: Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 59 official task statements scored for Computer Network Architects (United States, SOC 15-1241), 52% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 57 out of 100 (range 51–63, 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 “Computer Network Architects” can AI already do?: The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Prepare system activity and performance reports” (93/100, very high); “Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools” (93/100, very high); “Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity” (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 “Computer Network Architects” stay human?: About 30% 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: “Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways” (0/100, minimal); “Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices” (7/100, minimal); “Maintain or coordinate the maintenance of network peripherals, such as printers” (9/100, 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 “Computer Network Architects” do about AI?: Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 52% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 30% 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 Computer Network Architects 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 59 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

Worth knowing about these figures

The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
11 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: onet-dbProcessing: catalogue-bridge → onet-im-rt-weighting → task-scoring → score-aggregation
Task weights: onet-db (im-rt)
Scores: Rubric task_scoring_v1.0, model claude-opus-5, computed 2026-08-04.
Pay and employment: bls-oews (May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx))bls-oews (May 2025 estimates (national_M2025_dl.xlsx))

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.