The Skill Inside the Task: How AI and Robotics Reshape the Structure of Work

Fenicia Cossu

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: We examine how exposure to artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics reshapes the skill composition of occupations. Using O*NET data from 2006 to 2019, we construct indicators tracking the importance of seven broad skill categories within each occupation over time. We link these indicators to task-based measures of technological exposure at the occupational level. We then focus on the effect of AI and robotics in altering the skill composition of high-, middle- and low-skilled groups of occupations. We find that AI primarily affects high-skill occupations by increasing the importance of Technical and Resource Management skills and decreasing that of Systems and Social skills. Robotics instead boosts Technical skills in middle and low-skill occupations and reduces Process skills in low-skilled ones. Notably, neither AI nor robots affect the importance of Complex Problem Solving skills.

Keywords: Skills; Artificial Intelligence; Robots; Skill Composition; Occupational change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J23 J24 O3 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-07-22
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ain and nep-tid
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pra:mprapa:125404

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