Will AI replace Computer Network Architects?
AI reaches most of this job’s work.
57/100
Very high exposure
More exposed to AI than 88% of US workers.
- AI already used in
- 19% of the work
- As AI tools mature: up to
- 92% of the work
What the job involves
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
Where AI reaches the work
The job’s main tasks, heaviest first, by how far AI reaches them.
Already happening(7)
- Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
- Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
- Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
- Communicate with vendors to gather information about products, alert them to future needs, resolve problems, or address system maintenance issues.
- Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, or recommended technologies.
and 2 more
Within reach(23)
- Develop disaster recovery plans.
- Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
- Monitor and analyze network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.
- Develop network-related documentation.
- Develop and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or software.
and 18 more
Out of reach(3)
- Coordinate installation of new equipment.
- Supervise engineers or other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.
- Maintain or coordinate the maintenance of network peripherals, such as printers.
Also called
Network Analyst · Network Architect · Network Consultant · Data Communications Analyst · WAN Engineer (Wide Area Network Engineer) · Network Computer Consultant · Network Designer · Network Developer
Related jobs
What these numbers mean
The score is the share of this job’s work, weighted by how important and frequent each task is, that AI could do in half the time: tasks an AI model could do alone count in full, tasks that need software built on AI count half.
“AI already used” is the share of the work in tasks where people are recorded using AI today. “As AI tools mature” counts every task AI could halve, with or without extra software.
The percentile compares the score with every job’s, weighted by how many people in the US do each one. Exposure means AI could change how the work is done, not that the job goes away. These are estimates for the typical job, not predictions.
Sources
- O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
- GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs (task labels), Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin & Rock (2023), OpenAI and University of Pennsylvania
- Anthropic Economic Index: labor market impacts (task penetration), Anthropic
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national and metropolitan areas), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics