The Worker-AI Usage Mismatch
The occupations where workers most want AI automation are not the occupations actually using AI.
The top 10 occupations with the highest average automation desire (tax preparers, public safety telecommunicators, timekeeping clerks, etc.) represent only 1.26% of Claude.ai usage.
Meanwhile, 41.0% of Y Combinator AI companies are mapped to tasks in the “Low Priority Zone” (low desire, low capability) or “Red Light Zone” (high capability but low worker desire).
Current AI investment concentrates on software development and business analysis, leaving many high-desire tasks underserved.
Related: 07-molecule—desire-capability-landscape, 07-atom—worker-automation-desire-stats