# Opening the Frey/Osborne Black Box: Which Tasks of a Job are Susceptible to Computerization?

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1604.08823 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1604.08823/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 29 Apr 2016.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Estimating time spent on work tasks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.05172/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

In their seminal paper, Frey and Osborne quantified the automation of jobs, by assigning each job in the O*NET database a probability to be automated. In this paper, we refine their results in the following way: Every O*NET job consists of a set of tasks, and these tasks can be related. We use a linear program to assign probabilities to tasks, such that related tasks have a similar probability and the tasks can explain the computerization probability of a job. Analyzing jobs on the level of tasks helps comprehending the results, as experts as well as laymen can more easily criticize and refine what parts of a job are susceptible to computerization.