AI Exposure & Workforce
Trends
June 8, 2026
Economic Development Subcommittee Rachel Beer, Program Analyst Analysis
Why This Analysis Was Conducted
• Review potential AI impacts on the local workforce
• Compare Santa Rosa occupational data with AI exposure estimates • Identify industries potentially affected by automation or workflow transformation • Support future workforce and economic development planning What is AI Exposure?
AI Exposure Score Category General Interpretation
0–3 Low Exposure Occupations requiring significant
physical presence, manual tasks, or in-
person interaction
4–6 Moderate Exposure Occupations likely to experience
workflow augmentation and task
transformation
7–10 High Exposure Occupations with substantial digital or administrative task exposure that may
be more susceptible to automation
• Measures how likely job tasks are
to be impacted by AI technologies
• Does not necessarily mean jobs
will be replaced
• AI may automate, assist, or
transform workplace tasks
• Higher exposure is generally tied
to repetitive digital or
administrative work
Methodology
How the Analysis was Conducted
• Used EDD Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) • Compared occupations against US Job Market Visualizer AI Exposure Model • Evaluated workforce by occupation category
• Estimated percentage of workforce by exposure level
Key Takeaways
Analysis of the Santa Rosa workforce indicates:
• Approximately 35.3% of local employment falls
within occupations classified as having high AI
exposure.
• Approximately 20.6% of the workforce falls within
moderate exposure occupations.
• Approximately 44.1% of the workforce is
employed in occupations categorized as having
low AI exposure.
• Administrative and digital occupations show higher
exposure
• Service, healthcare support, construction, and
trades remain lower exposure
• AI is more likely to transform workflows than fully
replace occupations
Major Occupations & AI Exposure
High Exposure Occupations
Moderate Exposure Occupations
Low Exposure Occupations
Observations & Considerations
• Higher AI exposure occupations are concentrated in administrative, financial, sales, and computer-related roles. • Many lower exposure occupations continue to rely heavily on physical presence, interpersonal interaction, and hands-on work.
• Moderate exposure occupations suggest AI may more commonly augment workflows rather than fully replace jobs. • Entry-level clerical and administrative occupations may experience the greatest levels of workflow transformation over time.
• Continue monitoring AI adoption trends and workforce impacts. • Support workforce development and digital adaptability initiatives. • Monitor impacts to entry-level and administrative occupations. • Continue supporting industries foundational to the local economy, including healthcare, skilled trades, hospitality, and service sectors.
• Explore opportunities for businesses to responsibly incorporate AI tools while maintaining workforce stability. • California has begun implementing statewide strategies to monitor AI workforce impacts and support workers and businesses as AI adoption continues to evolve. The Economic Development Division will continue to work closely with state economic and workforce development agencies to monitor emerging trends, assess potential local impacts, and explore opportunities that support workforce resilience and business competitiveness.
Thank you!