Market research analysts

Convert data and findings into tables, graphs, and written reports

AI excels at data visualization, automated chart generation, and converting analytical outputs into formatted tables and narrative summaries. This is highly structured work that current systems handle with minimal human intervention beyond specifying preferences.

BLS evidence: Analysts convert data and findings into tables, graphs, and written reports, and often make charts, graphs, infographics, and other visual aids to present research results.

Develop advertising materials and sales plans based on consumer insights

AI can generate advertising copy, design variations, and sales plan frameworks based on consumer insights and campaign parameters. Creative generation and strategic planning tools are advanced enough to produce quality first drafts that humans refine rather than create from scratch.

BLS evidence: Their knowledge of the targeted consumer enables analysts to develop advertising brochures and commercials, product promotions, and sales plans.

Analyze data using statistical software and techniques

Modern AI excels at statistical analysis, regression modeling, clustering, and pattern detection in structured datasets. Can execute standard analytical workflows end-to-end, though humans review methodology choices and interpret edge cases.

BLS evidence: Analysts evaluate data using statistical techniques and software and must interpret what the data mean for their client.

Research competitors and study their marketing methods, prices, and sales

AI can systematically monitor competitor websites, pricing databases, social media, job postings, and public filings to extract marketing strategies and pricing data. Synthesis into actionable intelligence is largely automatable with human review of strategic implications.

BLS evidence: Analysts help determine a company's position in the marketplace by researching their competitors and studying their marketing methods, prices, and sales.

Gather data on consumers, competitors, and market conditions

AI can autonomously scrape web data, access APIs, aggregate consumer databases, and compile competitor information from public sources. Human oversight needed mainly for validating data sources and handling proprietary/restricted datasets.

BLS evidence: Market research analysts gather data on consumer buying habits, demographics, needs, and preferences using methods such as focus groups, interviews, surveys, and questionnaires.

Measure the effectiveness of marketing programs and strategies

AI can calculate ROI metrics, attribution models, A/B test results, and campaign performance analytics autonomously. Defining what 'effectiveness' means in context and connecting metrics to strategic decisions requires some human framing, but execution is highly automatable.

BLS evidence: Market research analysts measure the effectiveness of marketing programs and strategies as part of their typical duties.

Monitor and forecast marketing and sales trends

AI forecasting models handle time-series analysis, trend extrapolation, and pattern recognition well. However, incorporating qualitative market shifts, emerging disruptions, and contextual business knowledge still benefits from human judgment in model selection and interpretation.

BLS evidence: Market research analysts typically monitor and forecast marketing and sales trends, and may forecast future trends based on data interpretation.

Determine potential markets, product demand, and pricing

AI can analyze demographic data, purchasing patterns, and market segmentation to identify potential markets and estimate demand curves. Pricing optimization models are well-developed, though final strategic decisions on market entry and positioning benefit from human business judgment.

BLS evidence: Using information about competitors and market conditions, analysts may determine potential markets, product demand, and pricing.

Devise and evaluate methods for collecting data

AI can suggest survey designs, sampling methods, and data collection frameworks based on research objectives, but evaluating trade-offs between cost, bias, response rates, and practical constraints in specific business contexts requires substantial human expertise and stakeholder negotiation.

BLS evidence: Market research analysts devise and evaluate methods for collecting data, such as surveys, questionnaires, and opinion polls.

Prepare reports and present results to clients and management

While AI can generate draft reports and create presentation slides, the interactive presentation to clients—reading the room, answering unexpected questions, adjusting emphasis based on stakeholder reactions, and building trust—requires human presence and judgment that AI cannot yet replicate effectively.

BLS evidence: Market research analysts prepare reports and present results to clients and management as a typical duty.