Introducing the Anthropic Economic Index

Summary

Anthropic introduced the Anthropic Economic Index to track how AI is used in work and to study its effects on labor markets over time. Its first report analyzes approximately one million anonymized Free and Pro Claude.ai conversations, using Clio to match them with occupational tasks from the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET database. Usage concentrated in computer and mathematical work, which represented 37.2% of queries, while 36% of occupations showed AI use in at least a quarter of associated tasks and about 4% reached three-quarters. The report found 57% augmentation versus 43% automation, lower use in both low- and very-high-wage occupations, and plans for open data and repeated analyses, while noting possible classification errors and coding overrepresentation.

Takeaways

1. 1

   Clio matched approximately one million Claude.ai conversations to O*NET occupational tasks, then grouped those tasks into occupations and broader categories while preserving conversation privacy.

2. 2

   Computer and mathematical work accounted for 37.2% of queries, while farming, fishing, and forestry accounted for 0.1%; software modification, code debugging, and network troubleshooting were among the computer-related tasks represented.

3. 3

   The analysis found 57% of tasks involved augmentation and 43% automation, with AI use concentrated in mid-to-high-wage occupations and lower for both the lowest- and highest-paid roles.