Job Exposure
Index

Home / All jobs / Life, Physical, and Social Science

AI exposure score

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers score 47 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #312 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 32 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 3 on its own and 24 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 3 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

47/ 100
Elevated
Rank
#312of 923 jobs
US workers
23,470BLS, May 2025
Median pay
$101,920a year
In real AI use
3 of 32tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

  • AI can speed this up on its own: 3 (9%)
  • AI can speed this up with extra software: 24 (75%)
  • Little or no AI speed-up: 5 (16%)
  • Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
  • Review environmental, historical, or technical reports and publications for accuracy.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
  • Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • 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.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Design geological mine maps, monitor mine structural integrity, or advise and monitor mining crews.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Review work plans to determine the effectiveness of activities for mitigating soil or groundwater contamination.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Identify deposits of construction materials suitable for use as concrete aggregates, road fill, or other applications.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Identify new sources of platinum group elements for industrial applications, such as automotive fuel cells or pollution abatement systems.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Locate potential sources of geothermal energy.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Determine ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mineral dust dispersion.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Research geomechanical or geochemical processes to be used in carbon sequestration projects.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • 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.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • 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.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
  • Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

Other jobs in this field

Life, Physical, and Social Science occupations close to this one.

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

The weekly exposure report

Know what's changing before it reaches your job.

One short email a week: which jobs are most exposed, the research worth knowing about, and one practical step you can take.

Free · one email a week · unsubscribe anytime