Job Exposure
Index

Home / All jobs / Management

AI exposure score

Natural Sciences Managers

Natural Sciences Managers score 57 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #123 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 16 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 2 on its own and 14 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 5 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

57/ 100
Elevated
Rank
#123of 923 jobs
US workers
108,690BLS, May 2025
Median pay
$167,220a year
In real AI use
5 of 16tasks, 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: 2 (13%)
  • AI can speed this up with extra software: 14 (88%)
  • Little or no AI speed-up: 0 (0%)
  • Prepare project proposals.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Conduct own research in field of expertise.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
  • Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Develop innovative technology or train staff for its implementation.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Provide for stewardship of plant or animal resources or habitats, studying land use, monitoring animal populations, or providing shelter, resources, or medical treatment for animals.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Advise or assist in obtaining patents or meeting other legal requirements.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

Other jobs in this field

Management occupations close to this one.

Questions about natural sciences managers and AI

Will AI replace natural sciences managers?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Natural Sciences Managers score 57 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #123 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 16 of the job's 16 tasks, 2 of them on its own. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which natural sciences managers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Prepare project proposals"; "Conduct own research in field of expertise".

Which natural sciences managers tasks are hardest for AI?

Every task in this job has some AI exposure, though 14 of them need extra software built around the AI.

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 5 of the 16 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as natural sciences managers, and what do they earn?

About 108,690 people in the US, with median pay of $167,220 a year (BLS, May 2025).

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