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How exposed to AI is a Chemical Technician?

Of the 16 tasks O*NET lists for chemical technicians, 4 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 8 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Analytical Laboratory Technician (Analytical Lab Technician)Chemical AnalystChemical TechnicianLaboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst)Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)Laboratory Tester (Lab Tester)Organic Preparation Analyst (Organic Prep Analyst)Quality Control Laboratory Technician (QC Lab Tech)Quality Control Technician (QC Tech)Research Technician
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
16
tasks rated for this occupation
44%
hold a degree, from a survey of only 15
58k
people do this job in the US
50 of 60
least protected in science

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

4
  • Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas
  • Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses
  • Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results
  • Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies

Only with software built on top

4
  • Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications
  • Train new employees on topics such as the proper operation of laboratory equipment
  • Design or fabricate experimental apparatus to develop new products or processes
  • Develop new chemical engineering processes or production techniques

Cannot be sped up

8
  • Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials
  • Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment
  • Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy
  • Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits
  • Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers
  • Develop or conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products
  • Operate experimental pilot plants, assisting with experimental design
  • Direct or monitor other workers producing chemical products
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.