AI exposure Life, physical and social science
Will AI replace zoologists and wildlife biologists?
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists. US occupation 19-1023.
The reading
6.1%
of the time zoologists and wildlife biologists spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of zoologists and wildlife biologists' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.
Ranked 233 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 69% of them.Further along than 69% of them.
Per cent of working time Square-law scale
Average US job 7.7%
Around the middle of the pack.Keeping pace with the average job.
What AI already does for zoologists and wildlife biologistsWhat zoologists and wildlife biologists no longer do alone
O*NET lists 12 tasks for zoologists and wildlife biologists. 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.
- Analyze characteristics of animals to identify and classify them.Core task mostly automated 1.00
What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human
11 of the 12 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.
- Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.Core task
- Coordinate preventive programs to control the outbreak of wildlife diseases.Core task
- Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.Core task
- Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.Core task
- Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.Core task
- Organize and conduct experimental studies with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings.Core task
Show the other 5
- Perform administrative duties, such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff.Core task
- Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.Core task
- Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.Core task
- Collect and dissect animal specimens and examine specimens under microscope.
- Prepare collections of preserved specimens or microscopic slides for species identification and study of development or disease.
How that compares
Among the 46 life, physical and social science occupations, zoologists and wildlife biologists rank 23. 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
- 230Insurance Underwriters 6.3%
- 232Amusement and Recreation Attendants 6.2%
- 233Natural Sciences Managers 6.1%
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.