Can AI Replace Soil and Plant Scientists in 2026?

Moderate exposure. AI could handle about 79% of today's soil and plant scientists tasks by 2036, and there is a 41% chance the number of jobs falls by a fifth or more. AI both assists and takes over tasks.

See how not to be replaced

Timeline

Year2030

Tasks AI can do

38%

Headcount (2025 = 100)

Chance of 20%+ fewer jobs

15% 2030 · 41% 2036

One person could cover, 2036

1.9 roles

Share of today's tasks AI can perform

Headcount index, 2025 = 100 (dashed line)

Your survival map

Not every part of your job is at the same risk. Tap a number to see what to do about each task.

Your human coreDo it with AIHand to AI

Tap a number on the map or a task below.

Lower-risk jobs that use similar skills

Foresters28% risk by 2036 Agricultural Engineers25% risk by 2036 Biologists30% risk by 2036

Your plan

Ticks are saved in this browser only.

Try an AI tool on one task you'd normally do by hand: "Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops".Learn one AI tool well enough to show it in an interview, for: "Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects".Get visibly better at your human core: "Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen".Rewrite the top of your CV around judgment, people and decisions, not routine output.Read about a lower-risk move: Foresters.

Lower-risk jobs with similar tasks

Foresters — 28% chance of contraction by 2036
Agricultural Engineers — 25% chance of contraction by 2036
Biologists — 30% chance of contraction by 2036

Similar occupations

Industrial Ecologists · Conservation Scientists · Range Managers · Agricultural Technicians

Based on 27 O*NET tasks for "Soil and Plant Scientists" (SOC 19-1013.00). LLM alone: 0% of tasks; with AI tools: 98%. Projections are a model, not official statistics. How we calculate this · Data version 2026-10