AI exposure Life, physical and social science
Will AI replace microbiologists?
Microbiologists. US occupation 19-1022.
The reading
9.7%
of the time microbiologists spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of microbiologists' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.
Ranked 188 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 75% of them.Further along than 75% of them.
Per cent of working time Square-law scale
Average US job 7.7%
Well above the typical job.Ahead of most of the workforce.
What AI already does for microbiologistsWhat microbiologists no longer do alone
O*NET lists 14 tasks for microbiologists. 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.
- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.Core task mostly automated 0.90
What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human
13 of the 14 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.
- Conduct chemical analyses of substances such as acids, alcohols, and enzymes.Core task
- Develop new products and procedures for sterilization, food and pharmaceutical supply preservation, or microbial contamination detection.Core task
- Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease, including the control of epidemics and the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.Core task
- Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.Core task
- Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection.Core task
- Observe action of microorganisms upon living tissues of plants, higher animals, and other microorganisms, and on dead organic matter.Core task
Show the other 7
- Prepare technical reports and recommendations, based upon research outcomes.Core task
- Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.Core task
- Study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms to understand their relationship to human, plant, and animal health.Core task
- Study the structure and function of human, animal, and plant tissues, cells, pathogens, and toxins.Core task
- Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.Core task
- Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.Core task
- Research use of bacteria and microorganisms to develop vitamins, antibiotics, amino acids, grain alcohol, sugars, and polymers.
How that compares
Among the 46 life, physical and social science occupations, microbiologists rank 18. The group averages 12.2%, and its most exposed job is Political Scientists at 45.2%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.
Just above in the ranking
- 185History Teachers, Postsecondary 9.9%
- 185Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 9.9%
- 187Library Assistants, Clerical 9.8%
Just below
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.