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AI exposure Life, physical and social science

Will AI replace biological technicians?

Biological Technicians. US occupation 19-4021.

6.0%

of the time biological technicians spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of biological technicians' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.

Ranked 235 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 68% of them.Further along than 68% of them.

Average US job 7.7%

Around the middle of the pack.Keeping pace with the average job.

What AI already does for biological techniciansWhat biological technicians no longer do alone

O*NET lists 18 tasks for biological technicians. AI use at work shows up in 1 of them. Each score runs from 0.5, where every observed use helps a person with the task, to 1, where every use does the task outright.

  1. Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings. mostly automated 0.94

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

17 of the 18 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.Core task
  • Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.Core task
  • Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.Core task
  • Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.Core task
  • Input data into databases.Core task
  • Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.Core task
Show the other 11
  • Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.Core task
  • Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.Core task
  • Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.Core task
  • Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.Core task
  • Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.Core task
  • Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.Core task
  • Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.Core task
  • Conduct or supervise operational programs, such as fish hatcheries, greenhouses and livestock production programs.
  • Feed livestock or laboratory animals.
  • Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
  • Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.

How that compares

Among the 46 life, physical and social science occupations, biological technicians rank 24. The group averages 12.2%, and its most exposed job is Political Scientists at 45.2%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Just above in the ranking

  1. 232Amusement and Recreation Attendants 6.2%
  2. 233Natural Sciences Managers 6.1%
  3. 233Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 6.1%

Just below

  1. 237Clinical and Counseling Psychologists 5.9%
  2. 237Electrical Engineers 5.9%
  3. 237Registered Nurses 5.9%

What this does and does not mean

Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.

A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.

Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.