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How an intelligence analyst can use AI, task by task

O*NET 33-3021.06: Intelligence AnalystsMedian pay $93,790/year (BLS, May 2025)21 tasksJob Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Anti-Terrorist Analyst, Crime Analyst (Criminal Analyst), Crime and Intelligence Analyst (Criminal and Intelligence Analyst), Crime Intelligence Analyst (Criminal Intelligence Analyst), Crime Research Specialist (Criminal Research Specialist), Intel Analyst (Intelligence Analyst), Intel Research Specialist (Intelligence Research Specialist), Investigative Intel Analysts (Investigative Intelligence Analysts), Police Crime and Intel Analyst (Police Crime and Intelligence Analyst), Terrorism Research Specialist.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 28%AI-assist 60%Stays human 12%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 6 AI-ready, 12 AI-assist and 3 human-led tasks out of 21. 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 6

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

Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.

Daily

AI maps out the topic and options; confirm with real sources.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a fast research assistant. Ask it to map out a topic, compare options or list what to check. Use a tool with web search and ask for its sources.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.

Context: We use SAS and TensorFlow; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Question: [what I'm trying to find out]
Databases I can use: [list them]

Suggest search terms, filters and the order to search each database, plus how to cross-check results. Give me a table to record what I find and where.

10-minute exercise: Search plan across databases

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information (today).
Step 2Fill in [Question] and [Databases I can use] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Run two of its searches and log the results in the table. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

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

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Use databases to locate investigation details or other information.. Also involves: Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities..

Design, use, or maintain databases and software applications, such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools.

Weekly

AI maps out the topic and options; confirm with real sources.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a fast research assistant. Ask it to map out a topic, compare options or list what to check. Use a tool with web search and ask for its sources.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to design, use, or maintain databases and software applications, such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools.

Context: We use SAS and TensorFlow; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Question: [what I'm trying to find out]
Databases I can use: [list them]

Suggest search terms, filters and the order to search each database, plus how to cross-check results. Give me a table to record what I find and where.

10-minute exercise: Search plan across databases

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you design, use, or maintain databases and software applications (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Question] and [Databases I can use] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Run two of its searches and log the results in the table.

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

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Use databases to locate investigation details or other information..

Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts, based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.

Weekly

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts, based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
Incident: [what happened, when, where; no names]
Findings: [facts, evidence, actions taken]

Draft a factual report with timeline, findings and recommendations. Mark assumptions with [CHECK]. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Incident or investigation report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations and maps (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Incident] and [Findings] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact and time against your notes and evidence.

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

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare investigation or incident reports..

Establish criminal profiles to aid in connecting criminal organizations with their members.

Weekly

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to establish criminal profiles to aid in connecting criminal organizations with their members.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
Record type: [identification, incident]
Details: [describe, no names in chat]

Draft a factual record template. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Custody record entry

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you establish criminal profiles (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Record type] and [Details] 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 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Record information about suspects or criminals..

Prepare plans to intercept foreign communications transmissions.

Monthly

AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist for you to adjust.

Show prompt & steps

Describe the goal, the people and the constraints, and AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist. You adjust it to what you know about real life on the ground.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to prepare plans to intercept foreign communications transmissions.

Context: We use SAP software and Oracle PeopleSoft; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Process: [lab to production, separation]
Requirements: [scale, quality]

Plan development steps and validation. 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: Technical process development

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare plans to intercept foreign communications transmissions.
Step 2Fill in [Process] and [Requirements] 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 3.1/5 · O*NET work activity: Develop technical methods or processes.. Also involves: Plan work procedures..

Study communication code languages or foreign languages to translate intelligence.

A few times a year

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to study communication code languages or foreign languages to translate intelligence.

Context: The work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Certification or policy set: [licence, institutional rules]
Renewal or review date: [when]

Make a study plan with topics, approved course types to look for, and a checklist of renewal requirements to verify with the certifying body.

10-minute exercise: Certification and CE plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you study communication code languages or foreign languages.
Step 2Fill in [Certification or policy set] and [Renewal or review date].
Step 3Book or start the first item this week.

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

Importance 3.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Maintain professional knowledge or certifications..

AI can help you prep these 12

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

Validate known intelligence with data from other sources.

Daily

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to validate known intelligence with data from other sources.

Context: We use SAS and TensorFlow; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Incident: [what happened, systems or records involved]
Data available: [logs, transactions, images, records]

Propose a step-by-step forensic review: what to preserve first, what to look for in each data source, tools commonly used, and red flags. Remind me of chain-of-custody steps.

10-minute exercise: Forensic review plan

Step 1Take a closed incident you know the answer to.
Step 2Describe it in [Incident] and list sources in [Data available].
Step 3Did its plan lead toward the real cause? Use that to judge it on live cases.

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

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities..

Evaluate records of communications, such as telephone calls, to plot activity and determine the size and location of criminal groups and members.

Weekly

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to evaluate records of communications, such as telephone calls, to plot activity and determine the size and location of criminal groups and members.

Context: We use SAS and TensorFlow; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Incident: [what happened, systems or records involved]
Data available: [logs, transactions, images, records]

Propose a step-by-step forensic review: what to preserve first, what to look for in each data source, tools commonly used, and red flags. Remind me of chain-of-custody steps.

10-minute exercise: Forensic review plan

Step 1Take a closed incident you know the answer to. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Describe it in [Incident] and list sources in [Data available].
Step 3Did its plan lead toward the real cause? Use that to judge it on live cases.

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

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities..

Analyze intelligence data to identify patterns and trends in criminal activity.

Daily

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to analyze intelligence data to identify patterns and trends in criminal activity.

Context: We use SAS and TensorFlow; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Incident: [what happened, systems or records involved]
Data available: [logs, transactions, images, records]

Propose a step-by-step forensic review: what to preserve first, what to look for in each data source, tools commonly used, and red flags. Remind me of chain-of-custody steps.

10-minute exercise: Forensic review plan

Step 1Take a closed incident you know the answer to.
Step 2Describe it in [Incident] and list sources in [Data available].
Step 3Did its plan lead toward the real cause? Use that to judge it on live cases.

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

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities..

Identify gaps in information.

Weekly

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to identify gaps in information.

Context: We use SAS and TensorFlow; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Incident: [what happened, systems or records involved]
Data available: [logs, transactions, images, records]

Propose a step-by-step forensic review: what to preserve first, what to look for in each data source, tools commonly used, and red flags. Remind me of chain-of-custody steps.

10-minute exercise: Forensic review plan

Step 1Take a closed incident you know the answer to.
Step 2Describe it in [Incident] and list sources in [Data available].
Step 3Did its plan lead toward the real cause? Use that to judge it on live cases.

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

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities..

Collaborate with representatives from other government and intelligence organizations to share information or coordinate intelligence activities.

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to collaborate with representatives from other government and intelligence organizations to share information or coordinate intelligence activities.

Context: We use Apache Spark and Tableau.
Case: [type]
Agency: [describe]

Draft a message within sharing rules. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Inter-agency information sharing

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you collaborate with representatives (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Case] and [Agency] 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 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to share information..

Study activities relating to narcotics, money laundering, gangs, auto theft rings, terrorism, or other national security threats.

Weekly

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to study activities relating to narcotics, money laundering, gangs, auto theft rings, terrorism, or other national security threats.

Context: We use SAS and TensorFlow; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
What we've seen: [indicators, behaviour, logs, no personal data]
Our environment: [systems, sector]

Match these indicators to known tactics or schemes, suggest what else to look for, and list containment or reporting steps. Cite public frameworks or advisories I can verify.

10-minute exercise: Research a threat or suspicious activity

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you study activities to narcotics (this week).
Step 2Describe it in [What we've seen] and fill in [Our environment].
Step 3Verify each tactic it names against the public source before acting.

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

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Investigate illegal or suspicious activities..

Link or chart suspects to criminal organizations or events to determine activities and interrelationships.

Weekly

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to link or chart suspects to criminal organizations or events to determine activities and interrelationships.

Context: We use SAS and TensorFlow; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
What we've seen: [indicators, behaviour, logs, no personal data]
Our environment: [systems, sector]

Match these indicators to known tactics or schemes, suggest what else to look for, and list containment or reporting steps. Cite public frameworks or advisories I can verify.

10-minute exercise: Research a threat or suspicious activity

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you link or chart suspects (this week).
Step 2Describe it in [What we've seen] and fill in [Our environment].
Step 3Verify each tactic it names against the public source before acting.

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

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Investigate illegal or suspicious activities..

Predict future gang, organized crime, or terrorist activity, using analyses of intelligence data.

Weekly

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to predict future gang, organized crime, or terrorist activity, using analyses of intelligence data.

Context: We use SAS and TensorFlow; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Incident: [what happened, systems or records involved]
Data available: [logs, transactions, images, records]

Propose a step-by-step forensic review: what to preserve first, what to look for in each data source, tools commonly used, and red flags. Remind me of chain-of-custody steps.

10-minute exercise: Forensic review plan

Step 1Take a closed incident you know the answer to.
Step 2Describe it in [Incident] and list sources in [Data available].
Step 3Did its plan lead toward the real cause? Use that to judge it on live cases.

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

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities..

Conduct presentations of analytic findings.

Monthly

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 55% 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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to conduct presentations of analytic findings.

Context: The work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Audience: [management, clients, meeting]
Results: [paste key findings and numbers]

Turn this into a short presentation: headline message, 3 key charts to make, plain-language explanations, and likely questions with answers.

10-minute exercise: Present research results

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct presentations of analytic findings.
Step 2Fill in [Audience] and [Results] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every number on your slides against the analysis output.

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

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Present research results to others..

Study the assets of criminal suspects to determine the flow of money from or to targeted groups.

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to study the assets of criminal suspects to determine the flow of money from or to targeted groups.

Context: We use SAS and TensorFlow; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
What we've seen: [indicators, behaviour, logs, no personal data]
Our environment: [systems, sector]

Match these indicators to known tactics or schemes, suggest what else to look for, and list containment or reporting steps. Cite public frameworks or advisories I can verify.

10-minute exercise: Research a threat or suspicious activity

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you study the assets of criminal suspects.
Step 2Describe it in [What we've seen] and fill in [Our environment].
Step 3Verify each tactic it names against the public source before acting.

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

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Investigate illegal or suspicious activities..

Develop defense plans or tactics, using intelligence and other information.

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 68% 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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to develop defense plans or tactics, using intelligence and other information.

Context: We use SAP software and Oracle PeopleSoft; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Procedure for: [valuation type, security, work process]
Requirements: [rules, standards]

Draft a step-by-step procedure with responsibilities and checks. 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: Write a procedure

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop defense plans or tactics.
Step 2Fill in [Procedure for] and [Requirements] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Walk through it with the people who'll use it.

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

Importance 3.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Determine operational procedures..

Interview, interrogate, or interact with witnesses or crime suspects to collect human intelligence.

A few times a year

AI helps you prepare questions; the listening is yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare better questions and to organize your notes afterward. Listening to the person in front of you is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to interview, interrogate, or interact with witnesses or crime suspects to collect human intelligence.

Context: We use Apache Spark and Tableau; the work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Case type: [fire, crime, incident]
Who to interview: [witness, owner, suspect]

Write an interview plan: order of people, open questions, follow-ups, and how to document statements. Order the questions sensibly, add follow-ups for vague answers, and give me a note-taking template.

10-minute exercise: Witness interview plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you interview interrogate, or interact with witnesses.
Step 2Fill in [Case type] and [Who to interview] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare it with your agency's interview procedure.

Don't record people or paste their answers into AI without consent and your employer's approval.

Importance 3.4/5 · O*NET work activity: Interview people to gather information about criminal activities..

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

Gather intelligence information by field observation, confidential information sources, or public records.

Daily

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to gather intelligence information by field observation, confidential information sources, or public records.

Context: The work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Who and what I observe: [students, players, staff, activity]
What I'm looking for: [behaviour, performance, rule compliance]

Create an observation checklist with clear behavioural indicators, a rating scale, and a notes template. Remind me how to keep notes objective.

10-minute exercise: Observation checklist

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you gather intelligence information (today).
Step 2Fill in [Who and what I observe] and [What I'm looking for].
Step 3Use it once and compare with your usual notes. Keep what helped.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Observe individuals' activities to gather information or compile evidence.. Also involves: Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities..

Gather and evaluate information, using tools such as aerial photographs, radar equipment, or sensitive radio equipment.

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to gather and evaluate information, using tools such as aerial photographs, radar equipment, or sensitive radio equipment.

Context: The work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Equipment: [drone, cameras, radar]
Mission: [describe]

List setup, legal limits and logging. 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: Surveillance operation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you gather and evaluate information.
Step 2Fill in [Equipment] and [Mission] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check legal and airspace rules before flying or recording.

Importance 3.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Operate surveillance equipment to detect suspicious or illegal activities.. Also involves: Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities..

Operate cameras, radios, or other surveillance equipment to intercept communications or document activities.

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to operate cameras, radios, or other surveillance equipment to intercept communications or document activities.

Context: The work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
Equipment: [drone, cameras, radar]
Mission: [describe]

List setup, legal limits and logging. 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: Surveillance operation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you operate cameras and radios.
Step 2Fill in [Equipment] and [Mission] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check legal and airspace rules before flying or recording.

Importance 2.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Operate surveillance equipment to detect suspicious or illegal activities..

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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.

  • Active Listeningimportance 4.1/5
    Used in: Getting Information
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 4.2/5
    Used in: Getting Information
  • Critical Thinkingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Getting Information
  • Writingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Documenting/Recording Information

Where you could move

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New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 1 new or updated task here: 0 AI-ready, 0 AI-assist, 1 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Make recommendations for investigations and subpoenas.

New in O*NET

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 an intelligence analyst. Part of my job is to make recommendations for investigations and subpoenas.

Context: The work draws on law and government, public safety and security and telecommunications.
I'm making the call, but I want to pressure-test my thinking.

The situation, with private details removed: [describe it]
What I'm leaning toward and why: [your view]
Factors that usually matter here: [cost, risk, rules, people affected]

Argue the strongest case against my view, list factors I may be overlooking, and say what extra information would change the decision.

10-minute exercise: Pressure-test: recommendations

Step 1Pick the next real decision where you make recommendations, before you've committed.
Step 2Write the situation in [describe it] and your honest lean in [your view], then read the case against it.
Step 3Make the decision yourself. Afterward, note whether the counter-argument changed anything.

New O*NET task (08/2024). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Getting into this job

Bachelor's degree is most common (65% of workers)

  • Certificate or some college 4%
  • Associate's 9%
  • Bachelor's 74%
  • Graduate degree 13%
  • On-the-job training: 6–12 months
  • Related experience: 1–2 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.

Amazon Web Services AWS softwareApache HadoopApache HiveApache KafkaApache SparkC++DjangoESRI ArcGIS softwareFacebookHypertext markup language HTMLJavaScriptLinux