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How a business intelligence analyst can use AI, task by task

O*NET 15-2051.01: Business Intelligence AnalystsMedian pay $120,230/year (BLS, May 2025)17 tasksJob Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

Your job title Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Business Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst (BI Analyst), Business Intelligence Consultant (BI Consultant), Business Intelligence Coordinator (BI Coordinator), Business Intelligence Specialist (BI Specialist), Competitive Intelligence Analyst, Intelligence Analyst, Market Intelligence Analyst, Market Intelligence Consultant, Strategic Business and Technology Intelligence Consultant.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 62%AI-assist 38%Stays human 0%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 11 AI-ready, 6 AI-assist and 0 human-led tasks out of 17. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork

Thinking & planning

People & communication

Leading & teaching

Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.Explain it clearly · Daily
Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.Handle the admin · Daily
Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.Write it up · Daily

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

None of this job's listed tasks fall in this group.

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 11

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.

Daily

AI handles forms, records and routine paperwork for you to verify.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 89% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Forms, records, data entry, scheduling and routine paperwork are where AI saves the most time. It drafts, sorts, extracts and reformats while you verify.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.

Context: We use SAP software and Microsoft SharePoint.
Database: [GIS, production]
Change: [describe]

List steps and verification queries. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Database update procedure

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases and dashboards (today).

Step 2Fill in [Database] and [Change] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Back up before changes and verify after.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Update computer database information..

Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.

Daily

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
Project: [describe]
Stakeholders: [who needs what]

Draft a communication plan: audiences, messages, frequency, channels and owners. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Project communication plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you manage timely flow of business intelligence information (today).

Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Stakeholders] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Share the plan with the team and adjust frequency based on feedback.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop information communication procedures..

Identify and analyze industry or geographic trends with business strategy implications.

Weekly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 38% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to identify and analyze industry or geographic trends with business strategy implications.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
Data: [paste search, sales or review data]
Question: [what to learn]

Analyze and summarize insights. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Customer data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you identify and analyze industry or geographic trends (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze market or customer related data..

Collect business intelligence data from available industry reports, public information, field reports, or purchased sources.

Weekly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 60% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to collect business intelligence data from available industry reports, public information, field reports, or purchased sources.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
Data: [paste search, sales or review data]
Question: [what to learn]

Analyze and summarize insights. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Customer data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you collect business intelligence data (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze market or customer related data..

Document specifications for business intelligence or information technology reports, dashboards, or other outputs.

Monthly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to document specifications for business intelligence or information technology reports, dashboards, or other outputs.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
Project: [describe]
Stakeholders: [who needs what]

Draft a communication plan: audiences, messages, frequency, channels and owners. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Project communication plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you document specifications.

Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Stakeholders] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Share the plan with the team and adjust frequency based on feedback.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop information communication procedures.. Also involves: Document operational procedures..

Synthesize current business intelligence or trend data to support recommendations for action.

Monthly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 49% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to synthesize current business intelligence or trend data to support recommendations for action.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
Data: [paste search, sales or review data]
Question: [what to learn]

Analyze and summarize insights. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Customer data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you synthesize current business intelligence or trend data.

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze market or customer related data..

Identify or monitor current and potential customers, using business intelligence tools.

Weekly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 67% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to identify or monitor current and potential customers, using business intelligence tools.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
Data: [paste search, sales or review data]
Question: [what to learn]

Analyze and summarize insights. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Customer data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you identify or monitor current potential customers (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze market or customer related data..

Communicate with customers, competitors, suppliers, professional organizations, or others to stay abreast of industry or business trends.

Weekly

AI is a patient tutor for new rules and techniques.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a patient personal tutor. It explains new rules, techniques and technology at your level, quizzes you and builds a study plan.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to communicate with customers, competitors, suppliers, professional organizations, or others to stay abreast of industry or business trends.

Context: The work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
Industry: [describe]
Focus: [technology, best practices]

Summarize trends, what they mean for my role, and sources to follow. Use examples from my line of work, quiz me with 5 questions one at a time, and list trustworthy sources.

10-minute exercise: Industry trend briefing

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you communicate with customers, competitors and suppliers (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Industry] and [Focus] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check one claim against an official or professional source.

AI's knowledge has a cutoff date. For new regulations and standards, always confirm against the official source.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends..

Create or review technical design documentation to ensure the accurate development of reporting solutions.

Monthly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 47% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to create or review technical design documentation to ensure the accurate development of reporting solutions.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
System: [equipment, software, content system]
Requirements: [functions, standards, interfaces]

Draft a specification with numbered, testable requirements. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Technical specification document

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you create or review technical design documentation.

Step 2Fill in [System] and [Requirements] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Make sure every requirement can actually be tested.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Document technical specifications or requirements..

Analyze competitive market strategies through analysis of related product, market, or share trends.

Monthly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 46% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to analyze competitive market strategies through analysis of related product, market, or share trends.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
Data: [paste search, sales or review data]
Question: [what to learn]

Analyze and summarize insights. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Customer data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze competitive market strategies.

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze market or customer related data..

Analyze technology trends to identify markets for future product development or to improve sales of existing products.

Monthly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to analyze technology trends to identify markets for future product development or to improve sales of existing products.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
Data: [paste search, sales or review data]
Question: [what to learn]

Analyze and summarize insights. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Customer data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze technology trends.

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze market or customer related data..

AI can help you prep these 6

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.

Daily

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 60% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.

Context: We use SAS and The MathWorks MATLAB; the work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
Analysis: [describe]
Results: [paste tables, maps]

Draft the report narrative. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Analytical report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial (today). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Analysis] and [Results] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare analytical reports..

Provide technical support for existing reports, dashboards, or other tools.

Weekly

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 62% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to provide technical support for existing reports, dashboards, or other tools.

Context: The work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
Software: [describe]
Common problems: [list]

Write clear fixes and when to escalate. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Software support answers

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide technical support (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Software] and [Common problems] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Provide technical support for software maintenance or use..

Create business intelligence tools or systems, including design of related databases, spreadsheets, or outputs.

Weekly

AI drafts scripts and configs; design and security are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 52% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft configurations, scripts and test cases and explain unfamiliar systems. Architecture and security decisions need your expertise.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to create business intelligence tools or systems, including design of related databases, spreadsheets, or outputs.

Context: We use Microsoft Azure software and C; the work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
What to store: [appraisals, records, inventory]
How it's used: [searches, reports]

Design tables and fields, and give setup steps for a spreadsheet or database tool, plus example queries.

10-minute exercise: Build a simple database

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you create business intelligence tools or systems (this week).

Step 2Fill in [What to store] and [How it's used] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Run the tests yourself and read every line before you'd use it.

Don't paste secrets, passwords or proprietary code into tools your employer hasn't approved.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Create databases to store electronic data..

Disseminate information regarding tools, reports, or metadata enhancements.

Weekly

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to disseminate information regarding tools, reports, or metadata enhancements.

Information: [irregularities, referrals]
To whom: [manager, investigator]

Draft a concise factual report. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Report information

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you disseminate information regarding tools, reports and metadata enhancements (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Information] and [To whom] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Report information to managers or other personnel..

Conduct or coordinate tests to ensure that intelligence is consistent with defined needs.

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to conduct or coordinate tests to ensure that intelligence is consistent with defined needs.

Context: We use SAS and The MathWorks MATLAB; the work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
Users: [departments, roles]
System or service: [what we're improving]

Write interview questions, an observation checklist, and a requirements table template. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Requirements gathering plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct or coordinate tests.

Step 2Fill in [Users] and [System or service] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Use it in one user interview and fill the table.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Collect data about customer needs..

Maintain library of model documents, templates, or other reusable knowledge assets.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 48% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a business intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to maintain library of model documents, templates, or other reusable knowledge assets.

Context: We use Tableau and Microsoft Power BI; the work draws on computers and electronics, economics and accounting and mathematics.
System: [network, communications]
Requirements: [users, traffic, reliability]

Draft conceptual and logical designs with capacity calculations. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Network or system model

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you maintain library of model documents and templates.

Step 2Fill in [System] and [Requirements] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check the capacity math yourself before ordering hardware.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop models of information or communications systems..

These stay human 0

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: once a week or more but not every day · Impact of decisions: important results

None of this job's tasks are here.

Get the full prompt pack for Business Intelligence Analysts

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

Reading Comprehensionimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
Critical Thinkingimportance 3.9/5
Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
Writingimportance 3.8/5
Used in: Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Active Listeningimportance 3.9/5
Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

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Skills to build: Learning Strategies, Persuasion, Critical Thinking
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Skills to build: Programming

Getting into this job

Bachelor's degree is most common (68% of workers)

Associate's 5%
Bachelor's 73%
Graduate degree 23%

On-the-job training: 3–6 months
Related experience: 2–4 years

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Adobe AcrobatAJAXAlteryx softwareAmazon DynamoDBAmazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2Amazon RedshiftAmazon Web Services AWS softwareApache CassandraApache HadoopApache HiveApache KafkaApache Spark