Anthropic, makers of the AI tool Claude, has made headlines once again with its recent release of its study on the labour market impacts of AI. By assessing current use of Claude, focusing specifically on AI usage in work contexts, and comparing it to the theoretical applications of the tech as it continues to improve, Anthropic has outlined what it calls the "most exposed occupations" to AI displacement at present.
Bear in mind that with AI tools evolving fast, these findings are subject to change! Consider it a snapshot of the situation at present, not a foregone conclusion.
Occupations most exposed to AI displacement
You can find the full details and methodology in Anthropic's report, but here are the top 10 most exposed occupations as of 2026, along with Anthropic's assessment of the most automatable tasks for each.
|
Rank
|
Occupation
|
Automatable tasks
|
| 1. |
Computer programmers |
Write, update, and maintain software programs |
| 2. |
Customer service representatives |
Confer with customers to provide info, take orders, handle complaints |
| 3. |
Data entry keyers |
Read source documents and enter data into systems |
| 4. |
Medical record specialists |
Compile, abstract, and code patient data |
| 5. |
Market research analysts and marketing specialists |
Prepare reports of findings, illustrating data graphically, and translating complex findings into written text |
| 6. |
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products |
Contact customers to demonstrate products and solicit orders |
| 7. |
Financial and investment analysts |
Inform investment decisions by analyzing financial information to forecast business, industry, or economic conditions |
| 8. |
Software quality assurance analysts and testers |
Modify software to correct errors or improve performance |
| 9. |
Information security analysts |
Perform risk assessments and test data processing security |
| 10. |
Computer use support specialists |
Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems |
These are not the only professions at risk of AI displacement, of course, but they represent the top 10 in Anthropic's findings. Some fields had too little data available: they may be at less risk of AI displacement in the medium term. These include occupations like cooks, motorcycle mechanics, lifeguards, bartenders, dishwashers, and dressing room attendants, per the report.
AI displacement risk by education level
Interestingly, Anthropic also found that workers with higher levels of education tend to be more at risk of AI displacement. This effect is most pronounced for holders of bachelor's degrees, with graduate degrees just behind. Holders of high school diplomas seem least likely to affected by AI displacement at present. You can explore the original report from Anthropic for details, but here's a simplified table:
| Education level |
No exposure to AI displacement, % |
Top quartile of exposure to AI displacement, % |
Difference, percentage points |
| Less than high school |
13.2% |
2.3% |
-10.9 pp |
| High school diploma |
38.9% |
17.7% |
-21.2 pp |
| College diploma / associate's degree |
30% |
25.5% |
-4.6 pp |
| Bachelor's degree |
13.3% |
37.1% |
+23.8 pp |
| Graduate degree |
4.5% |
17.4% |
+12.8 pp |
So, if you're considering your career path, you may be less vulnerable to AI displacement overall by pursuing a career with lower formal education requirements. Jobs in the skilled trades are becoming more popular, since by working with your hands in the physical world, you're likely to be less susceptible to AI-driven shifts in the economy. Careers that interact and intersect with the "real world" are less likely to be AI-displaced than jobs that are primarily digital.
Unemployment rates and new hires
Anthropic draws its survey data from the United States, but the Canadian economy is similar in many ways. Anthropic has not found negative impacts on the employment rate, even for workers in the most exposed occupation groups, like computer programmers and customer service reps — but there is evidence that entry-level hiring has slowed for these professions, which could make starting your career more challenging. This disproportionately affects workers who are 25 and younger, unfortunately.
What next?
Our AI-powered world isn't going anywhere, so students and new graduates will have to adapt to the fast-changing economy. The impacts of AI are far from settled, and these findings can't predict the future. Follow your passions wherever they take you, but if you're still trying to figure out your path, it's worth thinking about how AI tools might impact your career.
If you're an AI enthusiast, why not give the new SchoolFinder AI tool a try? It's built to help you explore your options for careers, programs, schools, and scholarships. If you're not particularly fired up about AI, you can instead try the program quiz which matches you to opportunities based on your interests. Tools like these can help you work through your ideas and come up with a plan that leaves you feeling confident and in control.
Check out the original Anthropic report here, which is full of interesting insights, data points, and charts. Like any new technology, AI brings with it plenty of challenges and opportunities alike. No matter your passions and choices, SchoolFinder is here for you!
Try the new SchoolFinder AI tool