Will AI replace cloud engineer?
Updated
Systems administrators score 58 of 100 for AI exposure. The largest share of their task time, 90%, is work AI speeds up while they stay in charge. AI can take over 5% outright, and 5% stays with people.
- 5% AI can do it
- 90% AI helps
- 5% Needs a person
High exposure
Higher than 88% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 20 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 1 of them today, speeds up 18 and leaves 1 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records. Log and repair records are documentation AI handles well. | 70% AI can do it |
| Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement. AI analyzes performance records; people take responsibility for repair and replace calls. | 60% AI helps |
| Research new technologies by attending seminars, reading trade articles, or taking classes, and implement or recommend the implementation of new technologies. AI summarizes trade reading well; decisions and seminars stay human. | 60% AI helps |
| Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed and where changes will be needed in the future. AI reads telemetry trends well; staff decide on capacity changes. | 55% AI helps |
| Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software. AI drafts filter rules and triages alerts for review. | 50% AI helps |
| Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use. Console monitoring is largely automated; AI summarizes alerts for staff. | 50% AI helps |
| Train people in computer system use. AI builds training materials; live instruction still needs people. | 50% AI helps |
| Coordinate with vendors and with company personnel to facilitate purchases. AI drafts vendor emails and purchase requests; negotiation stays human. | 50% AI helps |
| Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes. AI can compare options and draft change recommendations for review. | 45% AI helps |
| Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software. AI writes configs and test scripts; hardware testing stays manual. | 45% AI helps |
Show the other 10 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records. Routine steps scriptable; physical site checks still need staff. | 45% AI helps |
| Gather data pertaining to customer needs, and use the information to identify, predict, interpret, and evaluate system and network requirements. AI helps analyze requirements; stakeholder interviews need people. | 45% AI helps |
| Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary. AI speeds diagnosis from logs; physical part swaps need technicians. | 40% AI helps |
| Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware. AI drafts policies and scans for threats; staff take responsibility for implementation. | 40% AI helps |
| Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems. AI drafts ticket replies; live user discussions still need staff. | 40% AI helps |
| Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations. Broad admin role; AI aids configs, scripts, not physical upkeep. | 35% AI helps |
| Implement and provide technical support for voice services and equipment, such as private branch exchange, voice mail system, and telecom system. AI helps configure voice systems; phone hardware work stays physical. | 35% AI helps |
| Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations. Backups run automatically; DR drills need people and real systems. | 30% AI helps |
| Maintain an inventory of parts for emergency repairs. Stock counts and reorder forecasts help; shelf work stays physical. | 30% AI helps |
| Load computer tapes and disks, and install software and printer paper or forms. Loading media and paper is physical work; little AI help. | 12% Needs a person |
How systems administrators compare
All occupations (923)
Computer and mathematical (36)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $99,130 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 314,340 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- -4.1% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Run disaster recovery drills on AWS and Azure systems
- Write Bash and Python scripts that verify scheduled backup jobs
- Hold AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate credential
- Replace failed drives and components in physical server racks
- Build capacity forecasts in Microsoft Excel from SQL extracts
- Control user access in Microsoft Entra ID directories
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about systems administrators and AI
Will cloud engineer be replaced by AI?
Partly. About 4 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly maintaining log and repair records and analyzing equipment performance records. The rest stays with people who physically work on hardware, make repair and capacity calls, and answer for outages.
Which systems administrator tasks is AI taking over?
Record keeping and performance analysis go first. Log and repair records score 70 on exposure because AI handles this documentation well. Equipment performance analysis, scored 60, is also read-and-summarize work that AI can draft, leaving the administrator to approve each repair or replacement call.
Which systems administrator tasks stay human?
Hands-on hardware work and disaster recovery stay with people. Loading tapes, disks, and paper scores 12 on exposure because it is physical. DR drills score 30 because they need real systems and staff to run failover. Swapping defective components, scored 40, still needs a technician at the rack.
How can systems administrators stay valuable?
Keep the tasks that need a person in the room and document each result. Run disaster recovery drills on AWS and Azure systems and record the outcomes. Write Bash and Python scripts that check scheduled backups, then review the output yourself. Keep Linux and UNIX server skills current and hold an AWS or Azure administrator credential.
Related jobs
Next steps for systems administrators
Check which roles in your team AI can take on
We map your team's tasks, show what AI can do today and build the automations that pay back first.
Related topics
- Jobs AI can't replaceCement masons score lowest, at 8.
- Jobs most at risk from AIProofreaders score highest, at 76.
- High-paying jobs with low AI exposureRadiologists earn a median $420,860 and score 46.
- Entry-level jobs with low AI exposureCement masons need little prior training and score 8.
- Jobs AI speeds up the mostFor natural sciences managers, AI speeds up 96% of task time.
- AI and jobs in Malta15 iGaming roles graded task by task.
- Skills that keep work humanThe skills to build in the jobs AI changes least.
- Jobs A to ZEvery job we publish, by first letter.
- AI exposure by industryAverage scores for 22 occupation groups.
- Write a CV screening software can readHow applicant tracking systems read a CV, and what to change.
- AI for businessesThe tasks to automate first in each team and industry.
- How we score AI exposureThe grading, the weights and every source.