Will AI replace Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers?
AI can do 51% of the work Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 32 tasks, while 21 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 3 physical tasks. 7 still need a person.
AI is already doing this1 · 4% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports.Mostly automated4% of time
AI could do this next21 · 47% 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 geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.12% of time
- Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.5% of time
- Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.5% of time
- Assess ground or surface water movement to provide advice on issues, such as waste management, route and site selection, or the restoration of contaminated sites.4% of time
- Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects.4% of time
- Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management.4% of time
- Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.3% of time
- Review environmental, historical, or technical reports and publications for accuracy.3% of time
- Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data.1% of time
- Design geological mine maps, monitor mine structural integrity, or advise and monitor mining crews.1% of time
- Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation.1% of time
- Research geomechanical or geochemical processes to be used in carbon sequestration projects.1% of time
- Review work plans to determine the effectiveness of activities for mitigating soil or groundwater contamination.1% of time
- Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models.1% of time
- Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes.under 1% of time
- Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation.under 1% of time
- Determine ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mineral dust dispersion.under 1% of time
- Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes.under 1% of time
- Identify new sources of platinum group elements for industrial applications, such as automotive fuel cells or pollution abatement systems.under 1% of time
- Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management.under 1% of time
- Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities.under 1% of time
Robots can technically do this3 · 12% 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.
- Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains.Robots: purpose built settings6% of time
- Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
- Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
Still needs a person7 · 38% 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.
- Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.12% of time
- Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.12% of time
- Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.9% of time
- Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects.1% of time
- Locate potential sources of geothermal energy.1% of time
- Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery.1% of time
- Identify deposits of construction materials suitable for use as concrete aggregates, road fill, or other applications.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. Real use is still behind at 4 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.
What to do next
- Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 21 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 3 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 7 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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