Will AI replace Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?
AI can do 68% of the work Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 14 tasks, while 7 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 5 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.
- Analyze characteristics of animals to identify and classify them.Mostly automated4% of time
AI could do this next7 · 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.
- Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.15% of time
- Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.15% of time
- Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.12% of time
- Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.9% of time
- Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.7% of time
- Check for, and ensure compliance with, environmental laws, and notify law enforcement when violations are identified.4% of time
- Coordinate preventive programs to control the outbreak of wildlife diseases.2% of time
Robots can technically do this1 · 4% 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.
- Organize and conduct experimental studies with live animals in controlled or natural surroundings.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
Still needs a person5 · 28% 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.
- Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.11% of time
- Perform administrative duties, such as fundraising, public relations, budgeting, and supervision of zoo staff.10% of time
- Conduct literature reviews.4% of time
- Collect and dissect animal specimens and examine specimens under microscope.2% of time
- Prepare collections of preserved specimens or microscopic slides for species identification and study of development or disease.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 7 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 1 physical task robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 5 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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