A new report from Anthropic reveals which industries are embracing AI the fastest. No surprises at the top: tech, consulting, and finance lead the way. But beneath the headlines, a deeper trend is emerging: AI adoption is expanding beyond these sectors, reshaping roles across industries.

For management support professionals, this is a turning point. AI isn’t just another tool; it’s changing how executives work, how decisions are made, and what support functions are expected to deliver.

AI is moving up the corporate ladder

The Anthropic report shows that AI use is highest among senior executives and technical teams. Leaders are using AI for strategy, analysis, and decision-making, while IT teams focus on automation. This means that the professionals supporting them – PAs, EAs, and office managers – must understand AI too. When an executive relies on AI for reports or presentations, the person reviewing or refining that output needs to spot errors, fill gaps, and ensure the AI-generated content is accurate and fit for purpose.

Routine admin is being automated

AI adoption is strongest in roles that involve repetitive tasks. Drafting emails, summarising meetings, scheduling, and expense tracking: many of these are already being handled by AI.

This doesn’t mean management support roles will disappear, but it does mean the nature of the job is changing.

Those who rely purely on traditional admin skills risk being left behind. Those who embrace AI, learning how to integrate it into their workflow and add strategic value, will remain indispensable.

AI fluency is the new must-have skill

Executives are increasingly experimenting with AI. Some will expect their assistants to use it too. But if an EA simply follows AI-generated suggestions without question, they risk missing inaccuracies or flawed assumptions. AI fluency, the ability to use AI effectively while critically evaluating its output, will be a key differentiator in the coming years.

Executives who once relied on their assistants for formatting reports or drafting correspondence may start doing these tasks themselves using AI.

But AI can’t handle nuance, context, or complex problem-solving. This is where management support professionals must step up. Instead of being seen as task-doers, the most successful assistants will position themselves as advisors, quality controllers, and strategic partners.

The takeaway

The rise of AI is not a threat; it’s an opportunity. AI can take care of routine tasks, freeing management support professionals to focus on higher-value work.

But to stay relevant, professionals must upskill, build AI literacy, and redefine their roles. Those who do will be more valuable than ever in the AI-driven workplace. Are you ready for the shift?