Will AI replace Natural Sciences Managers?
AI can do 83% of the work Natural Sciences Managers do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 3 of their 16 tasks, while 10 more are ready but barely used so far. 3 still need a person.
AI is already doing this3 · 18% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.Mostly automated12% of time
- Conduct own research in field of expertise.Mostly automated4% of time
- Advise or assist in obtaining patents or meeting other legal requirements.Mostly assisted1% of time
AI could do this next10 · 66% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.14% of time
- Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.12% of time
- Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.8% of time
- Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.7% of time
- Prepare project proposals.6% of time
- Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.6% of time
- Prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports.6% of time
- Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.4% of time
- Develop innovative technology or train staff for its implementation.2% of time
- Make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field.1% of time
Still needs a person3 · 17% 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.
- Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.12% of time
- Recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence.3% of time
- Provide for stewardship of plant or animal resources or habitats, studying land use, monitoring animal populations, or providing shelter, resources, or medical treatment for animals.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 already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. Real use is still behind at 17 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.
What to do next
- Do the 3 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 10 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Build on the 3 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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