Chemists
Official O*NET title: Chemists (19-2031.00)
Also called: air quality chemist, analytical chemist, chemical lab scientist, chemist, forensic chemist
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing chemists work
6 of 12 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Red (lots of AI use) — 50%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Talk with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory staff to conduct tests (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Direct, coordinate, or advise staff in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Maintain laboratory instruments to make sure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Conduct quality control tests (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to make sure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Purchase laboratory supplies (main task) — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques”. Try the prompt for: “Talk with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and chemists
Will AI replace chemists?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 6 of the 12 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Red rating (lots of AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 6 of the 12 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which chemist tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques; talk with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests; induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
Which chemist tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods; conduct quality control tests; write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 77% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a chemist start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Chemists ranks #128 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #11 of 45 in Science & Research.
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