INDUSTRY DEEP DIVE • Updated 2026
AI Impact on Science & Research: Moderate Risk
Scientists, researchers, and laboratory professionals. We analyzed 10 careers in this industry — here's what AI is doing to them.
WHScience & Research ranks #25 of 26 industries by AI displacement risk, with an average displacement score of 38%. 0 of 10 careers face critical risk (85%+), while 8 remain at low risk. The most affected role is Laboratory Technician at 63%; the safest is Archaeologist at 23%.
Industry Rank
#25
of 26 industries by risk
Avg Displacement Score
38%
Moderate risk band
Careers Analyzed
10
0 critical • 0 high • 8 low
Top 10 most at-risk science & research careers
Ranked by AI displacement score (higher = more vulnerable to AI replacement).
5 safest science & research careers
Roles least exposed to AI displacement based on our analysis.
Get your personalized science & research risk score
Our 2-minute AI Career Risk Assessment gives you a personalized score for your specific role in science & research, plus a tailored action plan with skill recommendations and adjacent-career options.
Frequently asked questions
Which science & research jobs are most at risk from AI?
The 10 science & research careers we analyzed have an average AI displacement score of 38%. 0 face critical risk (85%+), 0 face high risk (70-84%). The most at-risk role is Laboratory Technician at 63%.
Which science & research jobs are safest from AI?
8 science & research careers have low displacement risk (under 50%). The safest role we analyzed is Archaeologist at 23%. Roles requiring physical presence, direct human judgment, or regulated decision-making tend to score lower.
How does Science & Research compare to other industries?
Science & Research ranks #25 of 26 industries by AI displacement risk. The most affected industries (Office Admin, Customer Service, Data Entry) have averages above 75%. The least affected (Healthcare practitioners, Skilled Trades, Personal Care) average below 40%.
What can I do if my science & research job is at risk?
Take our 2-minute AI Career Risk Assessment to get a personalized risk score for your specific role and a tailored action plan. We provide skill-development recommendations, AI-tool training paths, and adjacent-career options for science & research workers facing displacement risk.
Are these AI displacement scores accurate?
Our scores are computed from a methodology combining task-level automation feasibility, real-world AI adoption signals (vendor deployments, layoff data, productivity studies), and time-horizon estimates. We update scores when new data warrants. See our methodology page for full detail.
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