Athletes and sports competitors participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators. They train, compete, travel and work with coaches, trainers and medical staff. AI is already used for performance data and video analysis. Competing is the job, and that stays with the athlete.
The short answer: very low exposure and faster-than-average growth. The ILO's 2025 index rates athletes and sports players as not exposed with a score of 0.23. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 2,200 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed athletes are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Athletes and Sports Players | Not exposed | 0.23 |
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Athletes and sports competitors | Grow 6% | About 2,200 |
The BLS says that as student athletes increasingly sign endorsements under the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policy in college sports, the number of self-employed athletes is expected to grow. It also notes possible league expansion. Its outlook does not mention AI.
Where AI is helping
- Analyzing game video and performance data to plan training.
- Tracking workload, sleep and recovery to help manage injury risk.
- Scouting opponents and preparing game plans with coaches.
What stays with athletes
- Competing: the physical skill and decisions in the moment.
- Training: the daily work no tool can do for you.
- Fans and sponsors: a personal brand built on real people.
- Checking AI help: data tools and AI advice can be wrong, so medical and training decisions belong with qualified staff, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Teams use more data than ever, and NIL rules let more college athletes earn as their own business. Athletes increasingly work with analytics staff and manage their own image and deals. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace coaches?, will AI replace referees? and will AI replace athletic trainers?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for athletes and sports competitors at $66,710 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: no formal educational credential. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace athletes?
No. The BLS projects 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 2,200 openings a year.
How exposed are athletes to AI?
The ILO rates athletes and sports players as not exposed with a score of 0.23.
Why is the number of athletes growing?
The BLS points to NIL endorsements growing the number of self-employed athletes, and possible league expansion.
How do athletes use AI?
Mostly through performance data, video analysis and recovery tracking, with coaches and medical staff making the calls.