Will AI replace Molecular and Cellular Biologists?
AI can do 68% of the work Molecular and Cellular Biologists do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 2 of their 22 tasks, while 13 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 3 physical tasks. 4 still need a person.
AI is already doing this2 · 4% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Conduct applied research aimed at improvements in areas such as disease testing, crop quality, pharmaceuticals, and the harnessing of microbes to recycle waste.Mostly automated3% of time
- Participate in all levels of bioproduct development, including proposing new products, performing market analyses, designing and performing experiments, and collaborating with operations and quality control teams during product launches.Mostly automated1% of time
AI could do this next13 · 64% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.10% of time
- Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.10% of time
- Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.9% of time
- Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.9% of time
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.7% of time
- Write grant applications to obtain funding.5% of time
- Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.4% of time
- Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.3% of time
- Coordinate molecular or cellular research activities with scientists specializing in other fields.2% of time
- Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.2% of time
- Verify all financial, physical, and human resources assigned to research or development projects are used as planned.1% of time
- Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses.1% of time
- Design databases, such as mutagenesis libraries.1% of time
Robots can technically do this3 · 20% 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.
- Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.Robots: purpose built settings14% of time
- Monitor or operate specialized equipment, such as gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
- Evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure operability in specific laboratory settings.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
Still needs a person4 · 12% 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 technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.4% of time
- Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.4% of time
- Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models.2% of time
- Confer with vendors to evaluate new equipment or reagents or to discuss the customization of product lines to meet user requirements.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 2 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 13 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 4 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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