Lower Risk

Administrative

Executive Assistant

AI is poised to significantly impact Executive Assistant roles by automating routine administrative tasks, scheduling, and communication. LLMs like ChatGPT and Bard can handle email management, drafting correspondence, and summarizing documents. Task automation software and robotic process automation (RPA) can streamline scheduling and data entry. However, tasks requiring complex interpersonal skills, nuanced judgment, and adaptability in unpredictable situations will remain crucial for human Executive Assistants.

Top risks:

Manage executive calendars and schedule appointments75%
Prepare correspondence, reports, and presentations60%
Coordinate travel arrangements and accommodations70%

Administrative

Switchboard Operator

AI is poised to significantly impact switchboard operators by automating call routing, information retrieval, and basic customer service interactions. Natural Language Processing (NLP) and automated speech recognition (ASR) systems will handle many routine inquiries, while AI-powered chatbots can manage information dissemination and message taking. This will lead to a reduction in the demand for human switchboard operators, particularly in roles focused on simple call management.

Top risks:

Answer incoming calls and direct them to the appropriate person or department85%
Take and relay messages75%
Provide information to callers70%

Side-by-Side Metrics

Metric	Executive Assistant	Switchboard Operator
Risk Score	75%	81%
Risk Level	Critical Risk	Critical Risk
Timeline	2-5 years	2-5 years
Category	Administrative	Administrative
Tasks at Risk	8 tasks	6 tasks
Skills at Risk	5 skills	5 skills
Safe Skills	6 skills	4 skills

Risk Comparison

Executive Assistant75%

Switchboard Operator81%

Executive Assistant has 6 percentage points lower risk than Switchboard Operator.

Tasks at Risk

Executive Assistant Tasks at Risk

Manage executive calendars and schedule appointments75%

1-3 years

Prepare correspondence, reports, and presentations60%

1-3 years

Coordinate travel arrangements and accommodations70%

1-3 years

Screen phone calls and manage email communications80%

Already possible

Organize and maintain files and records70%

1-3 years

Switchboard Operator Tasks at Risk

Answer incoming calls and direct them to the appropriate person or department85%

2-5 years

Take and relay messages75%

2-5 years

Provide information to callers70%

2-5 years

Maintain records of calls and messages90%

1-2 years

Operate telephone switchboard to connect, hold, transfer, and disconnect calls95%

1-2 years

Skills Comparison

Shared AI-Resistant Skills(valuable in both careers)

Complex problem-solvingCrisis management

Executive Assistant -- Safe Skills

Complex problem-solvingInterpersonal communicationEmotional intelligenceEthical judgmentCrisis managementBuilding relationships

Executive Assistant -- Skills at Risk

SchedulingEmail managementTravel bookingData entryBasic report generation

Switchboard Operator -- Safe Skills

Emergency response coordinationComplex problem-solvingEmpathy and emotional intelligenceCrisis management

Switchboard Operator -- Skills at Risk

Call routingMessage takingInformation disseminationSwitchboard operationBasic customer service

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