Will AI replace Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary?

AI can do 75% of the work Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 10 of their 28 tasks, while 9 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 8 still need a person.

AI is already doing this10 · 51% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.Mostly automated15% of time
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and chemical separation.Mostly automated14% of time
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory performance, assignments, and papers.Mostly automated8% of time
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.Mostly assisted4% of time
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.Mostly automated3% of time
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.Mostly automated2% of time
  • Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.Mostly automated2% of time
  • Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.Mostly automated1% of time
  • Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.Mostly assisted1% of time
  • Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.Mostly automatedunder 1% of time

AI could do this next9 · 24% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.5% of time
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.4% of time
  • Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.4% of time
  • Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.3% of time
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.2% of time
  • Perform administrative duties, such as serving as a department head.2% of time
  • Select, order, and maintain materials and supplies for teaching and research, such as textbooks, chemicals, and laboratory equipment.2% of time
  • Prepare and submit required reports related to instruction.1% of time
  • Write letters of recommendation for students.1% of time

Robots can technically do this1 · 1% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Clean laboratory facilities.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time

Still needs a person8 · 24% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.8% of time
  • Supervise students' laboratory work.6% of time
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.3% of time
  • Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.3% of time
  • Act as advisers to student organizations.1% of time
  • Participate in campus and community events.1% of time
  • Establish, teach, and monitor students' compliance with safety rules for handling chemicals, equipment, and other hazardous materials.1% of time
  • Serve on committees or in professional societies.1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

Get my personal report

What this means

AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. People in this job already use it heavily. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.

What to do next

  • Do the 10 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 9 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 1 physical task robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 8 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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