The AI Impact Timeline: What to Expect
The impact of AI on Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants is phased. By 2028, approximately 50% of their tasks will be automated. Junior roles primarily handling scheduling and documentation may see displacement as early as 2026, while senior positions will have a longer runway, extending to 2030-2032.
The early wave of AI automation will target routine tasks such as calendar management, travel booking, expense report processing, and basic correspondence. Tools like Microsoft Copilot, Motion, Reclaim.ai, and Clara Labs are already accelerating this process, making these functions highly susceptible to AI takeover.
The mid-wave transformation will see AI integrated more deeply into supporting executive decision-making and managing complex communication flows. While 50% of tasks are automated by 2028, the remaining half will require a pivot towards more strategic and advisory capacities, influencing the evolution of the role.