Will AI replace First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers?
AI can do 21% of the work First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 9 of them. Robots can technically handle 8 physical tasks. 13 still need a person.
AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.
AI could do this next9 · 21% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Assign tasks such as feeding and treatment of animals, and cleaning and maintenance of animal quarters.4% of time
- Prepare and maintain time or payroll reports, as well as details of personnel actions, such as performance evaluations, hires, promotions, or disciplinary actions.4% of time
- Confer with managers to determine production requirements, conditions of equipment and supplies, and work schedules.3% of time
- Coordinate dismantling, moving, and setting up equipment at new work sites.2% of time
- Read inventory records, customer orders, or shipping schedules to determine required activities.2% of time
- Record the numbers and types of fish or shellfish reared, harvested, released, sold, and shipped.1% of time
- Communicate with forestry personnel regarding forest harvesting or forest management plans, procedures, or schedules.1% of time
- Coordinate the selection and movement of logs from storage areas, according to transportation schedules or production requirements.1% of time
- Calculate or monitor budgets for maintenance or development of collections, grounds, or infrastructure.1% of time
Robots can technically do this8 · 34% 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.
- Drive or operate farm machinery, such as trucks, tractors, or self-propelled harvesters, to transport workers or supplies or to cultivate or harvest fields.Robots: structured workplaces11% of time
- Inspect crops, fields, or plant stock to determine conditions and need for cultivating, spraying, weeding, or harvesting.Robots: almost anywhere5% of time
- Transport or arrange for transport of animals, equipment, food, animal feed, and other supplies to and from work sites.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
- Inspect buildings, fences, fields or ranges, supplies, and equipment to determine work to be performed.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
- Observe animals for signs of illness, injury, or unusual behavior, notifying veterinarians or managers as warranted.Robots: structured workplaces3% of time
- Inspect facilities to determine maintenance needs.Robots: structured workplaces2% of time
- Issue equipment, such as farm implements, machinery, ladders, or containers to workers, and collect equipment when work is complete.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
- Observe fish and beds or ponds to detect diseases, monitor fish growth, determine quality of fish, or determine completeness of harvesting.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
Still needs a person13 · 46% 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.
- Monitor operations to identify and solve problems, improve work methods, and ensure compliance with safety, company, and government regulations.8% of time
- Perform both supervisory and management functions, such as accounting, marketing, and personnel work.7% of time
- Direct or assist with the adjustment or repair of equipment or machinery.5% of time
- Monitor workers to ensure that safety regulations are followed, warning or disciplining those who violate safety regulations.4% of time
- Schedule work crews, equipment, or transportation for several different work locations.4% of time
- Train workers in techniques such as planting, harvesting, weeding, or insect identification and in the use of safety measures.3% of time
- Confer with managers to evaluate weather or soil conditions, to develop plans or procedures, or to discuss issues such as changes in fertilizers, herbicides, or cultivating techniques.3% of time
- Plan work schedules according to personnel and equipment availability.3% of time
- Treat animal illnesses or injuries, following experience or instructions of veterinarians.2% of time
- Requisition or purchase supplies, such as insecticides, machine parts or lubricants, or tools.2% of time
- Train workers in tree felling or bucking, operation of tractors or loading machines, yarding or loading techniques, or safety regulations.1% of time
- Train workers in spawning, rearing, cultivating, and harvesting methods, and in the use of equipment.1% of time
- Monitor or oversee construction projects, such as horticultural buildings or irrigation systems.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 speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships. Robots are the other change to watch: they can technically do 36% of the working time.
What to do next
- 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 8 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 13 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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