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How exposed to AI is a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographer?

Of the 32 tasks O*NET lists for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers, 10 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 10 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
Engineering GeologistEnvironmental Protection GeologistExploration GeologistGeological SpecialistGeologistGeophysicistGeoscientistMine GeologistProject Geologist
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
32
tasks rated for this occupation
100%
hold a degree, from a survey of 32
24k
people do this job in the US
33 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

10
  • Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities
  • Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management
  • Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects
  • Review work plans to determine the effectiveness of activities for mitigating soil or groundwater contamination
  • Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models
  • Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities
  • Determine ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mineral dust dispersion
  • Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes
  • Research geomechanical or geochemical processes to be used in carbon sequestration projects
  • Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation

Only with software built on top

12
  • Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions
  • Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research
  • Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results
  • Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports
  • Review environmental, historical, or technical reports and publications for accuracy
  • Assess ground or surface water movement to provide advice on issues, such as waste management, route and site selection, or the restoration of contaminated sites
  • Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management
  • Design geological mine maps, monitor mine structural integrity, or advise and monitor mining crews
  • Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation
  • Identify new sources of platinum group elements for industrial applications, such as automotive fuel cells or pollution abatement systems
  • Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes
  • Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data

Cannot be sped up

10
  • Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application
  • Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software
  • Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains
  • Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos
  • Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers
  • Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery
  • Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments
  • Identify deposits of construction materials suitable for use as concrete aggregates, road fill, or other applications
  • Locate potential sources of geothermal energy
  • Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects
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.