Soil and Plant Scientists

How AI is changing soil and plant scientists work

5 of 18 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Amber (some AI use) — 28%. 1 newer task is not in the data yet and left out.

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

• Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
• Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products (main task) — some recorded AI use
• Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion (main task) — some recorded AI use
• Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests (main task) — some recorded AI use
• Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or pests (main task) — some recorded AI use
• Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Conduct experiments to investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Consult with engineers or other technical staff working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms — some recorded AI use
• Research technical requirements or environmental impacts of urban green spaces — some recorded AI use
• Survey undisturbed or disturbed lands for classification, inventory, mapping, environmental impact assessments, environmental protection planning, conservation planning, or reclamation planning — no recorded AI use
• Plan or supervise waste management programs for composting or farming — no recorded AI use
• Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen — no recorded AI use
• Study insect distribution or habitat and recommend methods to prevent importation or spread of injurious species — no recorded AI use
• Plan or supervise land conservation or reclamation programs for industrial development projects — no recorded AI use
• Conduct research into the use of plant species as green fuels or in the production of green fuels — no recorded AI use

Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).

Your first steps (guidance)

1. 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.
2. Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops”. Try the prompt for: “Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products”.

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 soil and plant scientists

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