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AI exposure report

Will AI replace Natural Sciences Managers?

Some of your tasks will be automated. People who use AI will have the edge.

Task exposure to today's AI

45/100

Moderate exposure

This is the occupation's typical task mix. Your own score can be up to 30 points higher or lower depending on how you work: routine share, people contact, judgment and how much you already use AI.

Get your personal score

Will AI replace Natural Sciences Managers?

Not entirely. Today's AI tools can take on about 45% of the typical work in this occupation, mostly: design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing. The parts that stay human include: Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.; Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.; Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance..

People who learn to use AI for the automatable parts keep the edge. The 3-phase plan below shows where to start.

Which tasks AI can take on

The largest tasks in this occupation, their share of the working week, and how much of each today's AI tools can do.

TaskAutomatable
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing. 62%
Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.AI already used 57%
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities. 40%
Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status. 40%
Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance. 38%
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff. 15%

+ 10 more tasks (34% of the week) in the full test.

Your human edge

  • Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
  • Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
  • Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.

AI tools to try

ChatGPT / Claude for drafts and analysisMicrosoft 365 Copilot or Google Gemini for WorkspaceMeeting assistants (e.g. Otter, Fireflies)

Related roles

A 3-phase AI learning plan

Phase 1

AI for the admin load

  • Meeting notes, summaries and follow-ups with AI.
  • First drafts of reports, plans and emails.
  • Spreadsheet analysis with AI (formulas, charts, explanations).

Project

Use AI to transcribe and summarise four weekly project review meetings into action lists and draft a monthly research progress report, logging hours saved versus your usual 6-8.

Phase 2

Decisions with better input

  • Use AI to research options and summarise sources, then check them.
  • Scenario and risk analysis with AI as a sparring partner.
  • Set team rules for what may and may not go into AI tools.

Project

Use AI to compare three options for an upcoming lab instrument or method decision, verify every cited source yourself, and stress-test the top option against 3 risk scenarios before writing a one-page recommendation.

Phase 3

Lead the change

  • Map which team tasks AI can take over or speed up.
  • Run a small pilot and measure time and quality.
  • Plan training and new roles for your team.

Project

Map your team's 15 most time-consuming tasks against AI suitability, pilot AI drafting of test protocols or QC reports with two staff for two weeks, and measure time and error rates before/after.
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