Job Check
Operations Research Analysts
Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.
10 main tasks · most important first
Your main tasks and AI
Importance- 01Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.AI could speed this up, with extra tools
- 02Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.AI could speed this up, with extra tools
- 03Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.AI could speed this up, with extra tools
- 04Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.People already use AI for this at work
- 05Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.AI could speed this up, with extra tools
- 06Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.People already use AI for this at work
- 07Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the component problems, using a variety of sources.AI could speed this up, with extra tools
- 08Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.People already use AI for this at work
- 09Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.People already use AI for this at work
- 10Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.People already use AI for this at work
Tasks from O*NET® 31.0 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0, changed by us), most important first. “Already use” comes from Anthropic’s data on real work chats with Claude; “could speed up” from task ratings made with GPT-4 in 2023.
Four studies, side by side
None is a forecast of job loss43%of this job’s work time goes to tasks that people already do with Claude at work, counting tasks where AI only helps as half (2026).Anthropic, 2026
63%of this job’s tasks an AI model could do in half the time, counting tasks that need extra tools as half (rated in 2023).Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, 2023
Above 89% of jobsin how often and how well AI helped with this job’s work in Microsoft Copilot chats (2024 data).Microsoft Research (Tomlinson et al.), 2025
Your human edge
AI touches every main task of this job in some way. Your edge is judgment: knowing when AI’s work is right, and checking it before it counts.
AI tools for your work
Official connectors that let an AI assistant work inside the apps data analysts use. Each is made by the app’s own maker.