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How a political scientist can use AI, task by task

O*NET 19-3094.00: Political ScientistsMedian pay $142,080/year (BLS, May 2025)14 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: —.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 27%AI-assist 56%Stays human 17%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 4 AI-ready, 8 AI-assist and 2 human-led tasks out of 14. 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).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.Stay sharp · Daily
  2. Teach political science.Train & teach · Weekly
  3. Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.Crunch the numbers · Monthly

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Advise political science students.Be there for people · Weekly
  2. Serve on committees.Lead people · Monthly

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

AI can draft these 4

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

Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.

Daily

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 a political scientist. Part of my job is to maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.

Context: The work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Field: [my area]
What I need: [new methods, recent findings, specific question]

Act as my tutor: explain the main recent developments, key papers to look up, and quiz me with 5 questions one at a time. I'll verify every paper exists.

10-minute exercise: Literature catch-up

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions (today).
Step 2Fill in [Field] and [What I need] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Look up two of the papers it names and read the abstracts.

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

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge..

Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.

Monthly

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 42% 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 political scientist. Part of my job is to collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.

Context: We use Tableau and SAS; the work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Study or test: [what was measured and why]
Results: [paste de-identified data or summary]

Explain what the results show, how confident we can be, possible confounders, and what to report or follow up. Say where expert judgment is needed.

10-minute exercise: Interpret study or lab data

Step 1Take one set of results you need to interpret.
Step 2Fill in [Study or test] and [Results] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare its reading with your own and note where you disagree and why.

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

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Interpret research or operational data..

Forecast political, economic, and social trends.

A few times a year

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 23% 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 political scientist. Part of my job is to forecast political, economic, and social trends.

Context: We use Tableau and SAS; the work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
What to forecast: [values, trends]
Data: [paste history]

Build a forecast with assumptions and formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Forecast

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you forecast political, economic and social trends.
Step 2Fill in [What to forecast] and [Data] 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 3.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Forecast economic, political, or social trends..

Write drafts of legislative proposals, and prepare speeches, correspondence, and policy papers for governmental use.

Yearly or less

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 44% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

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 a political scientist. Part of my job is to write drafts of legislative proposals, and prepare speeches, correspondence, and policy papers for governmental use.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft SharePoint.
Matter: [order, decree, guidance]
Technical facts: [paste]

Draft the technical sections in plain language. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Technical input for legal documents

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you write drafts of legislative proposals.
Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Technical facts] 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 2.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters..

AI can help you prep these 8

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

Teach political science.

Weekly

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a political scientist. Part of my job is to teach political science.

Context: We use Microsoft PowerPoint and CQ Press Political Reference Suite; the work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Topic: [theory, method]
Students: [level]

Plan a class with readings, discussion and assessment. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Humanities or social science class

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you teach political science (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Students] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Instruct college students in social sciences or humanities disciplines..

Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.

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 political scientist. Part of my job is to develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.

Context: We use Tableau and SAS; the work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Phenomenon: [describe]
Data: [observations]

Suggest models and simulation code. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Physical model or simulation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop and test theories.
Step 2Fill in [Phenomenon] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

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

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: Develop theories or models of physical phenomena..

Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.

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 political scientist. Part of my job is to interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.

Context: We use ProQuest Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS) database and EBSCO Publishing Academic Search Premier; the work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Issue: [describe]
Why I need it: [policy, program, decision]

Give me key facts, competing views, data sources to verify, and research questions worth pursuing. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Social issue brief

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you interpret and analyze policies, public issues and legislation.
Step 2Fill in [Issue] and [Why I need it] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the key facts in an official data source.

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: Conduct research on social issues..

Identify issues for research and analysis.

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 24% 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 political scientist. Part of my job is to identify issues for research and analysis.

Context: We use SAP software and Microsoft Excel; the work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Survey: [topic, population]
Resources: [budget, staff]

Draft sampling, procedures and timeline. 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: Survey project plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you identify issues for research and analysis.
Step 2Fill in [Survey] and [Resources] 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 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Plan social sciences research..

Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.

A few times a year

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

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 a political scientist. Part of my job is to disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Topic: [status, results, fixes]
Audience: [customers, staff]
Notes: [paste]

Draft slides outline and speaker notes. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Technical presentation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you disseminate research results.
Step 2Fill in [Topic], [Audience] and [Notes] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

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

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations..

Provide media commentary or criticism related to public policy and political issues and events.

A few times a year

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a political scientist. Part of my job is to provide media commentary or criticism related to public policy and political issues and events.

Context: We use CQ Press Political Reference Suite and EBSCO Publishing Political Science Complete; the work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Topic: [speech, article, statement]
Audience: [describe]

Write key messages and answers to likely questions. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Public presentation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide media commentary or criticism.
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Importance 2.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Present information to the public..

Evaluate programs and policies, and make related recommendations to institutions and organizations.

A few times a year

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 political scientist. Part of my job is to evaluate programs and policies, and make related recommendations to institutions and organizations.

Context: We use Tableau and SAS; the work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Policy or project: [describe]
Evidence: [paste data, costs, outcomes]
Criteria: [effectiveness, cost, equity, feasibility]

Evaluate against each criterion, list trade-offs, and draft a recommendation paragraph. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Policy or project evaluation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you evaluate programs and policies.
Step 2Fill in [Policy or project], [Evidence] and [Criteria] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every figure against the source before it goes in a brief.

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

Importance 2.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Evaluate civic projects or public policies.. Also involves: Advise others on matters of public policy..

Consult with and advise government officials, civic bodies, research agencies, the media, political parties, and others concerned with political issues.

A few times a year

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 21% 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 a political scientist. Part of my job is to consult with and advise government officials, civic bodies, research agencies, the media, political parties, and others concerned with political issues.

Context: We use CQ Press Political Reference Suite and EBSCO Publishing Political Science Complete; the work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Issue: [environment, climate, other]
Audience: [policymakers]

Write a short brief with options and recommendation. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Policy advice

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you consult with advise government officials and civic bodies.
Step 2Fill in [Issue] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

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

Importance 2.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Advise others on matters of public policy..

These stay human 2

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: once a week or more but not every day · Contact with others: contact with others most of the time

Advise political science students.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a political scientist. Part of my job is to advise political science students.

Context: The work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Who: [student, mentee; no names]
Topic: [courses, career, research]

Prepare questions to understand their goals, options to discuss, and next steps. Then play the student.

10-minute exercise: Advising session

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you advise political science students (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Who] and [Topic] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3End with one concrete next step they own.

📊 People already use AI around this task (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026). The task itself stays human-led.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Advise students on academic or career matters.. Also involves: Advise others on educational matters..

Serve on committees.

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 political scientist. Part of my job is to serve on committees.

Context: The work draws on law and government, history and archeology and philosophy and theology.
Committee: [board, department, governing body]
Agenda item: [describe]
My view: [what I'll argue for]

Prepare my position in 2 sentences, the strongest counter-arguments, questions to ask, and what I'll vote or decide based on.

10-minute exercise: Committee meeting prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you serve on committees.
Step 2Fill in [Committee], [Agenda item] and [My view] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Read the papers yourself before the meeting.

Importance 3.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Serve on institutional or departmental committees..

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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.

Stays human Deepen these

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

  • Instructingimportance 3.5/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  • Coordinationimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  • Persuasionimportance 2.9/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  • Complex Problem Solvingimportance 3.6/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

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.

  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 4.2/5
    Used in: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Critical Thinkingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Thinking Creatively
  • Active Listeningimportance 4.1/5
    Used in: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Writingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Training and Teaching 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.

Getting into this job

Doctoral degree is most common (88% of workers)

  • Graduate degree 100%
  • On-the-job training: none or a short demo
  • Related experience: 6–12 months

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.

Adobe AcrobatIBM SPSS StatisticsMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASPMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordPython

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