Will AI replace Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary?
AI can do 71% of the work Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 10 of their 25 tasks, while 8 more are ready but barely used so far. 7 still need a person.
AI is already doing this10 · 45% 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 automated16% of time
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.Mostly automated10% of time
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.Mostly assisted6% of time
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.Mostly automated3% of time
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.Mostly automated3% of time
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.Mostly automated3% of time
- Review papers or serve on editorial boards for scientific journals, and review grant proposals for various agencies.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 automated1% of time
AI could do this next8 · 25% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.7% of time
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.4% of time
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.4% of time
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.4% of time
- Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.3% of time
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.2% of time
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.1% of time
- Write letters of recommendation for students.1% of time
Still needs a person7 · 29% 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.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as hazardous waste management, industrial safety, and environmental toxicology.12% of time
- Supervise students' laboratory and field work.5% of time
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.4% of time
- Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.4% of time
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.3% of time
- Participate in campus and community events.1% of time
- Act as advisers to student organizations.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.
What this means
AI can do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. People in this job already use it heavily. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.
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 8 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Build on the 7 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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