Where AI Is Transforming Jobs, Salaries, and Industries Right Now

A Real-Time Look at How AI Is Reshaping Work

Artificial intelligence is changing the job market by automating some tasks and transforming others. Researchers at USC’s Information Sciences Institute (ISI) analyzed LinkedIn job postings and AI-related patent filings to identify which jobs face the highest exposure to AI and where these impacts are most evident. This effort was led by research assistant Eun Cheol Choi, alongside graduate students from a USC Annenberg data science course taught by Research Assistant Professor Luca Luceri.

The team created an “AI exposure” score to quantify how closely various roles are connected to current AI technologies. A high score indicates that a job could be influenced by automation, new AI tools, or significant changes in workflows.

Which Industries Are Most Exposed to AI?

The researchers split patent data into two periods: before and after the release of ChatGPT in late 2022. This allowed them to track how AI exposure shifted alongside new innovations. ChatGPT’s launch sparked a wave of generative AI development, investment, and patent activity.

Industries like wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, information, and manufacturing consistently showed high AI exposure. Retail had strong exposure early on, while healthcare and social assistance saw a sharp increase after ChatGPT. This likely reflects new AI tools for diagnostics, medical records, and clinical decision support. Education and real estate showed low exposure throughout, suggesting they remain less affected by current AI applications.

AI’s Reach Depends on the Role

Exposure to AI varies not just by industry but also by specific job functions. Roles such as software engineers and data scientists scored highest, as they are directly involved with creating or implementing AI systems. Manufacturing and repair jobs, including maintenance technicians, also have elevated exposure due to AI-powered automation and diagnostic tools.

On the other hand, positions like tax accountants, HR coordinators, and paralegals have low exposure. These roles rely heavily on nuanced reasoning, domain expertise, and human interaction, which remain challenging for AI to replicate effectively.

AI Exposure and Salary Don’t Always Move Together

The study found that jobs with higher AI exposure generally offer higher salaries, especially in the information sector where software and data roles dominate. This trend reflects the premium on AI-related skills in these fields.

However, in industries such as wholesale trade and transportation, the reverse was true. High-exposure jobs in these sectors often have lower salaries, particularly at the highest exposure levels. This pattern may indicate early signs of automation replacing rather than augmenting workers.

“In some industries, there may be synergy between workers and AI,” Choi explained. “In others, it may point to competition or replacement.”

From Class Project to Ongoing Research

The research team plans to expand their work by distinguishing between automation effects and augmentation by AI. They also aim to track emerging job categories driven by AI technologies.

Choi noted, “This kind of framework lets us capture real-time signals about AI’s impact on labor markets.” Professor Luceri highlighted the value of hands-on projects: “Giving students opportunities to apply theory to real-world data is essential for meaningful learning.”

Their paper, Mapping Labor Market Vulnerability in the Age of AI: Evidence from Job Postings and Patent Data, was presented at the 2025 International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media (ICWSM) in Copenhagen.

• For those interested in AI’s impact on career paths and skills, exploring up-to-date AI training courses can provide practical insights.
• Understanding AI exposure can help guide decisions on skill development and job transitions in affected industries.