Applications programmers
An AI agent can at least partly carry out 97.0% of the task time of applications programmers, and finish 33.8% alone.
25th of 433 · interval 89.4–100.0
10th of 433 · interval 11.0–59.1
14th of 433 · interval 60.7–74.9
task statements rated by two models and weighted by importance and frequency. World employment: 0.5 million.
How the tasks rate
What stops the agent
Share of task weight flagged by each barrier; a task can carry several.
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Sonnet · Haiku | Barriers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.Computer Programmers | 9.2% | L2 | L2L3 | 78% | 3.5 h | – |
| Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.Computer Programmers | 9.1% | L3 | L3L3 | 82% | 1.3 h | – |
| Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.Computer Programmers | 8.3% | L3 | L3L3 | 75% | 3.5 h | – |
| Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.Computer Programmers | 8.2% | L2 | L2L3 | 75% | 3.0 h | – |
| Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.Computer Programmers | 7.3% | L2 | L2L2 | 45% | 1.0 h | Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.Computer Programmers | 6.6% | L3 | L3L3 | 84% | 1.3 h | – |
| Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.Computer Programmers | 6.1% | L3 | L3L3 | 88% | 2.0 h | – |
| Consult with and assist computer operators or system analysts to define and resolve problems in running computer programs.Computer Programmers | 5.6% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 1.3 h | Access to systems |
| Perform systems analysis and programming tasks to maintain and control the use of computer systems software as a systems programmer.Computer Programmers | 5.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 4.0 h | Access to systems |
| Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation, and convert them into a series of instructions coded in a computer language.Computer Programmers | 5.4% | L2 | L2L3 | 78% | 3.5 h | – |
| Assign, coordinate, and review work and activities of programming personnel.Computer Programmers | 5.0% | L2 | L2L2 | 45% | 1.5 h | Trust and care |
| Develop Web sites.Computer Programmers · supplemental task | 4.8% | L2 | L2L3 | 75% | 13 h | – |
| Investigate whether networks, workstations, the central processing unit of the system, or peripheral equipment are responding to a program's instructions.Computer Programmers | 4.7% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 1.1 h | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Train subordinates in programming and program coding.Computer Programmers · supplemental task | 4.0% | L2 | L2L2 | 50% | 3.0 h | Trust and care |
| Write or contribute to instructions or manuals to guide end users.Computer Programmers | 3.7% | L3 | L3L3 | 80% | 3.0 h | – |
Show the other 2 tasks
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Sonnet · Haiku | Barriers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train users on the use and function of computer programs.Computer Programmers · supplemental task | 3.6% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 2.5 h | Trust and care |
| Collaborate with computer manufacturers and other users to develop new programming methods.Computer Programmers · supplemental task | 3.0% | L1 | L1L2 | 30% | 5.0 h | Trust and care, Access to systems |
Level: consensus of the two models (the lower level when they disagree). Share: part of the task’s working time an agent could take over. Human time: minutes a competent person needs for one instance, as estimated by the models.
Exposure is not delegation
| Measure | Value | Percentile | Pct |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADI (this index) | 97.0% | 94 | |
| Eloundou et al. (2024), GPT exposure β | 0.957 | 100 | |
| Felten et al. (2021), AI occupational exposure | 1.272 | 91 | |
| Webb (2020), AI patent exposure | 94 | 94 | |
| Eisfeldt et al. (2026), generative AI exposure | 0.853 | 99 | |
| Anthropic Economic Index, observed use | 0.745 | 100 |
Earlier indices measure whether AI can touch a task; ADI measures how much of it an agent can carry out from a goal. – : the source does not cover this occupation.
Neighbouring occupations
| Occupation | ADI | % |
|---|---|---|
| Database designers and administrators 2521 | 100.0 | |
| Systems administrators 2522 | 100.0 | |
| Database and network professionals not elsewhere classified 2529 | 98.5 | |
| Software and applications developers and analysts not elsewhere classified 2519 | 98.3 | |
| Computer network professionals 2523 | 98.2 | |
| Software developers 2512 | 97.0 | |
| Web and multimedia developers 2513 | 95.1 | |
| Systems analysts 2511 | 94.3 |
Dashed line: applications programmers (97.0%).
Espinal Maya, Cristian, and Santiago Jiménez Londoño. 2026. ADI v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and MCP server. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918. Record: Applications programmers (ISCO-08 2514), https://balamlabs.org/adi/occupations/2514
@misc{espinal2026adidata,
title = {{ADI} v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and {MCP} server},
author = {Espinal Maya, Cristian and Jim{\'e}nez Londo{\~n}o, Santiago},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Zenodo},
version = {v2026.1},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
note = {Record: Applications programmers (ISCO-08 2514)}
}The same record as static JSON, with its citation: /adi/v2026.1/isco/2514.json.