Home › Computer & Math › Computer and Information Research Scientists

How a computer / information research scientist can use AI, task by task

O*NET 15-1221.00: Computer and Information Research ScientistsMedian pay $140,300/year (BLS, May 2025)15 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Computer Scientist, Computer Specialist, Control System Computer Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientific Programmer Analyst.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 14%AI-assist 74%Stays human 12%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 1 AI-ready, 11 AI-assist and 3 human-led tasks out of 15. 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).

AI can draft these 1

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

Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.

Daily

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 74% 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 computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.

Context: We use Apache Spark and TensorFlow; the work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
Problem: [delays, errors, defects, protocol issues]
Data: [paste logs, indicators, printouts]

Find patterns that point to the cause, rank likely causes, and suggest checks and fixes. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Root-cause from data

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware (today).
Step 2Fill in [Problem] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Run the first check it suggests and confirm the cause before fixing.

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

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems..

AI can help you prep these 11

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

Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.

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 42% 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 computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.

Context: We use C and Microsoft Azure software; the work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
Business problem: [what's slow, manual or error-prone]
Inputs and outputs: [data in, results needed, who uses them]

Propose a system or automation, specify inputs, processing and outputs, and write starter code or queries with tests.

10-minute exercise: Solve a business problem with IT

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you apply theoretical expertise and innovation (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Business problem] and [Inputs and outputs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Prototype the smallest piece and test it on real (anonymized) data.

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

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems..

Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.

Weekly

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 49% 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 computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.

Context: We use TensorFlow and SAS; the work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
Data: [paste table]
Question: [what relationships matter]

Analyze correlations and trends with code or formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Find trends and relationships

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct logical analyses of business and scientific (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 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables..

Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.

Weekly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 64% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Microsoft Excel; the work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
Team: [roles, skills, availability]
Work to cover: [tasks, shifts, priorities]

Draft a duty roster that balances workload and skills, and flags gaps. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Assign duties

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you assign or schedule tasks (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Team] and [Work to cover] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check fairness and labor rules before posting.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Assign duties or work schedules to employees..

Design computers and the software that runs them.

Weekly

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

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 computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to design computers and the software that runs them.

Context: We use C and Microsoft Azure software; the work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
System: [describe]
Requirements: [security, performance, integration]

Propose an architecture and key design patterns. Propose the approach first, then the code with comments and tests, and point out security risks.

10-minute exercise: Integrated system design

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you design computers and the software (this week).
Step 2Fill in [System] and [Requirements] 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 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Design integrated computer systems..

Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.

Monthly

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 computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.

Issue: [describe]
Who: [vendors, project staff]

Draft a message with facts and needed actions. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: IT issue collaboration

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you meet with managers, vendors and others.
Step 2Fill in [Issue] and [Who] 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: Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues..

Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.

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 38% 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 computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.

Context: We use Apache Spark and TensorFlow; the work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
Design or proposal: [describe]
Requirements: [needs, constraints]

Assess whether it meets requirements, risks and gaps. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Design feasibility review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you evaluate project plans and proposals.
Step 2Fill in [Design or proposal] and [Requirements] 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: Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility..

Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.

Monthly

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 computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.

Product or system: [describe]
Stakeholders: [users, management]

Draft questions to settle requirements. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Specification discussion

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you consult with users, management and vendors.
Step 2Fill in [Product or system] and [Stakeholders] 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 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details..

Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.

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 computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.

Context: We use TensorFlow and SAS; the work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
Project: [research, audit, multidisciplinary]
My role: [describe]

List what to prepare, questions for collaborators, and a shared plan outline. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Collaboration prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [My role] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Open two of the sources it gives and confirm the key claim before you use it.

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

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists..

Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards.

Monthly

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 32% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards.

Area: [web, systems]
Goals: [describe]

Draft KPIs with definitions and targets. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: IT performance metrics

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop performance standards.
Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

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

Importance 3.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology..

Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.

Monthly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 32% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Microsoft Excel; the work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
Department: [describe]
Priorities: [list]

Draft objectives, deadlines and owners. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Department goals

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop and interpret organizational goals, policies and procedures.
Step 2Fill in [Department] and [Priorities] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop organizational goals or objectives..

Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.

Monthly

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

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 computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.

Context: We use Apache Spark and TensorFlow; the work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
Needs: [equipment replacement, operations]
Funds: [describe]

Propose an allocation with formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Resource allocation budget

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.
Step 2Fill in [Needs] and [Funds] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

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

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

Importance 2.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation..

These stay human 3

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: every day · Contact with others: contact with others most of the time · Dealing with the public: very important

Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.

Monthly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
Project: [describe]
Teams: [describe]

Plan coordination and decisions needed. Give me the key message in 2 sentences, how people might react, and how to respond to each.

10-minute exercise: Cross-team project coordination

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you direct daily operations of departments.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Teams] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 3.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.. Also involves: Manage information technology projects or system activities..

Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
Hardware: [network, servers]
Tasks: [describe]

List maintenance steps. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Hardware maintenance

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you maintain network hardware and software.
Step 2Fill in [Hardware] and [Tasks] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 3.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Maintain computer hardware.. Also involves: Monitor the performance of computer networks..

Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.

Monthly

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a computer / information research scientist. Part of my job is to participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, computers and electronics and design.
Decision: [hire, vendor, consultant]
Options: [candidates]

Organize evidence against criteria. I decide. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Staffing decision prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you participate in staffing decisions.
Step 2Fill in [Decision] and [Options] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind.

Importance 3.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Participate in staffing decisions.. Also involves: Train others in computer interface or software use..

Get the full prompt pack for Computer and Information Research Scientists

Every task, prompt and 10-minute exercise on this page in one PDF, formatted to print or keep on your desktop. Free.

Where should we send your PDF?

Your Computer and Information Research Scientists prompt pack downloads straight away, and a copy goes to your inbox.

We'll also send occasional updates about this playbook. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy

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.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Complex Problem Solvingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
  • Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Staffing Organizational Units
  • Active Learningimportance 3.5/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Learning Strategiesimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

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.

  • Critical Thinkingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Thinking Creatively
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
  • Active Listeningimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
  • Speakingimportance 3.5/5
    Used in: Coordinating the Work and Activities of 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.

  • Physicists8% human-led · Same preparation · $172,250/yr · usually doctoral degreeSkills to build: Science, Learning Strategies, Mathematics
  • Microsystems Engineers17% human-led · Same preparation · $122,930/yr · usually master's degreeSkills to build: Quality Control Analysis, Operations Monitoring, Negotiation
  • Operations Research Analysts0% human-led · Same preparation · $88,940/yr · usually master's degreeSkills to build: Mathematics
  • Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary34% human-led · Same preparation · $96,980/yr · usually master's degreeSkills to build: Instructing, Learning Strategies, Speaking

Getting into this job

Bachelor's degree is most common (36% of workers)

  • Certificate or some college 8%
  • Bachelor's 36%
  • Graduate degree 55%
  • On-the-job training: 3–6 months
  • Related experience: 2–4 years

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values). Some of these estimates are lower precision.

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.

Amazon DynamoDBAmazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2Amazon RedshiftAmazon Web Services AWS CloudFormationAmazon Web Services AWS softwareAnsible softwareApache AirflowApache CassandraApache HadoopApache HiveApache KafkaApache Spark