Will magnetic resonance imaging technologists be replaced by AI?
Updated
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists score 34 of 100 for AI exposure. 42% of their task time still needs a person. AI can do 17% today and speed up another 41%.
- 17% AI can do it
- 41% AI helps
- 42% Needs a person
Moderate exposure
Lower than 56% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 24 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 5 of them today, speeds up 9 and leaves 10 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Create backup copies of images by transferring images from disk to storage media or workstation. Automated image transfers and backups need little human input. | 85% AI can do it |
| Schedule appointments for research subjects or clinical patients. Scheduling software and AI agents handle most booking tasks. | 75% AI can do it |
| Develop or otherwise produce film records of magnetic resonance images. Digital exports and printing are largely automated now. | 72% AI can do it |
| Write reports or notes to summarize testing procedures or outcomes for physicians or other medical professionals. LLMs can draft routine tech notes; a person signs off. | 68% AI can do it |
| Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams. Order checks against protocols are largely rule based. | 62% AI can do it |
| Conduct screening interviews of patients to identify contraindications, such as ferrous objects, pregnancy, prosthetic heart valves, cardiac pacemakers, or tattoos. Intake questionnaires cover most contraindication checks; staff confirm. | 50% AI helps |
| Take brief medical histories from patients. Intake forms and chatbots can gather most history details. | 50% AI helps |
| Conduct inventories to maintain stock of clinical supplies. Software tracks stock levels; physical counting remains manual. | 50% AI helps |
| Inspect images for quality, using magnetic resonance scanner equipment and laser camera. AI flags artifacts; tech still judges diagnostic image quality. | 45% AI helps |
| Select appropriate imaging techniques or coils to produce required images. Protocol suggestions help, but coil choice needs tech judgment. | 40% AI helps |
Show the other 14 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Instruct medical staff or students in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures or equipment operation. Live teaching is person led; AI helps prepare materials. | 30% AI helps |
| Explain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures to patients, patient representatives, or family members. AI can draft education materials; live explanation stays human. | 30% AI helps |
| Troubleshoot technical issues related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner or peripheral equipment, such as monitors or coils. AI helps diagnose error codes; physical repairs stay manual. | 30% AI helps |
| Test magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment to ensure proper functioning and performance in accordance with specifications. Phantom testing is hands on, though software can analyze results. | 22% AI helps |
| Calibrate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) console or peripheral hardware. Hardware calibration is physical, with phantoms and tools. | 14% Needs a person |
| Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. Scanner operation needs a person present with the patient. | 12% Needs a person |
| Operate optical systems to capture dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, such as functional brain imaging, real-time organ motion tracking, or musculoskeletal anatomy and trajectory visualization. Setting up optical hardware and stimuli is physical work. | 12% Needs a person |
| Comfort patients during exams, or request sedatives or other medication from physicians for patients with anxiety or claustrophobia. Reassuring anxious patients needs empathy and in person presence. | 8% Needs a person |
| Connect physiological leads to physiological acquisition control (PAC) units. Physically connecting cables to monitoring units. | 6% Needs a person |
| Provide headphones or earplugs to patients to improve comfort and reduce unpleasant noise. Simple physical handling of comfort items with the patient. | 5% Needs a person |
| Intravenously inject contrast dyes, such as gadolinium contrast, in accordance with scope of practice. Inserting an IV and injecting contrast is a physical skill. | 4% Needs a person |
| Attach physiological monitoring leads to patient's finger, chest, waist, or other body parts. Physically attaching monitoring leads to the patient's body. | 4% Needs a person |
| Position patients on cradle, attaching immobilization devices, if needed, to ensure appropriate placement for imaging. Physically moving and securing patients on the cradle. | 3% Needs a person |
| Place and secure small, portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners on body part to be imaged, such as arm, leg, or head. Physically placing and securing portable scanners on the body. | 3% Needs a person |
How magnetic resonance imaging technologists compare
All occupations (923)
Healthcare practitioners and technical (89)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $95,480 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 43,390 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +7.7% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Run MRI safety screening for ferrous objects, implants and pregnancy
- Position patients and secure immobilization devices on the cradle
- Start IV lines and give gadolinium contrast within scope of practice
- Check image quality on the MRI console before patient release
- Enter patient history and scan orders in MEDITECH or eClinicalWorks
- Hold the ARRT MR certification and a state radiologic technologist licence
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about magnetic resonance imaging technologists and AI
Will AI replace magnetic resonance imaging technologists?
Partly. About 3 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly image backup transfers and appointment scheduling. Patient positioning, IV contrast and monitoring leads stay with technologists because they need a person's hands on the patient at the scanner.
Which tasks is AI taking over for magnetic resonance imaging technologists?
Image backups, appointment booking and film records are the tasks AI is taking over. Creating backup copies of images scores 85 on exposure, since transfers from disk to storage run automatically. Scheduling scores 75, and software and AI agents now handle most bookings.
Which tasks stay human for magnetic resonance imaging technologists?
Positioning patients on the cradle, placing portable scanners and injecting gadolinium contrast stay human, each scoring 3 or 4 on exposure. These tasks need physical handling of a patient's body, and screening interviews that check for implants and pregnancy still need a technologist to confirm the answers.
How can magnetic resonance imaging technologists stay valuable as AI takes on more tasks?
Keep the hands-on work sharp, including positioning patients, attaching monitoring leads and starting IV lines for gadolinium within scope. Review image quality on the console before release, and check any AI-drafted tech notes in Microsoft Word or the EMR before they go to physicians.
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