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How exposed to AI is a Forester?

Of the 25 tasks O*NET lists for foresters, 4 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 11 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
Area ForesterDistrict ForesterFire Prevention ForesterForest Practices Field CoordinatorForesterProcurement ForesterService ForesterSilviculturistTimber MarkerTimber Sales Administrator (Timber Sales Admin)
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
25
tasks rated for this occupation
85%
hold a degree, from a survey of 25
10k
people do this job in the US
45 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
  • Determine methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and environmental damage
  • Plan and direct forest surveys and related studies and prepare reports and recommendations
  • Provide advice and recommendations, as a consultant on forestry issues, to private woodlot owners, firefighters, government agencies or to companies
  • Analyze effect of forest conditions on tree growth rates and tree species prevalence and the yield, duration, seed production, growth viability, and germination of different species

Only with software built on top

10
  • Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations
  • Establish short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources
  • Perform inspections of forests or forest nurseries
  • Plan cutting programs and manage timber sales from harvested areas, assisting companies to achieve production goals
  • Map forest area soils and vegetation to estimate the amount of standing timber and future value and growth
  • Monitor forest-cleared lands to ensure that they are reclaimed to their most suitable end use
  • Plan and implement projects for conservation of wildlife habitats and soil and water quality
  • Monitor wildlife populations and assess the impacts of forest operations on population and habitats
  • Develop techniques for measuring and identifying trees
  • Develop new techniques for wood or residue use

Cannot be sped up

11
  • Plan and supervise forestry projects, such as determining the type, number and placement of trees to be planted, managing tree nurseries, thinning forest and monitoring growth of new seedlings
  • Supervise activities of other forestry workers
  • Direct, and participate in, forest fire suppression
  • Choose and prepare sites for new trees, using controlled burning, bulldozers, or herbicides to clear weeds, brush, and logging debris
  • Procure timber from private landowners
  • Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and leasing of forest lands
  • Contact local forest owners and gain permission to take inventory of the type, amount, and location of all standing timber on the property
  • Subcontract with loggers or pulpwood cutters for tree removal and to aid in road layout
  • Study different tree species' classification, life history, light and soil requirements, adaptation to new environmental conditions and resistance to disease and insects
  • Plan and direct construction and maintenance of recreation facilities, fire towers, trails, roads and bridges, ensuring that they comply with guidelines and regulations set for forested public lands
  • Conduct public educational programs on forest care and conservation
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.