Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 8/30/2026
AI Resilience Score for Biologists:
45.8%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
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Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Med
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Med
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
There are a reasonable number of sources for this result, but there is some disagreement between them.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forBiologists
$98,920 median salary•4,300 annual openings•SOC Code: 19-1029.04
Biologists are somewhat less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 6 sources.
Biology is "Somewhat Resilient" because AI is genuinely changing how a lot of the work gets done, especially the data-heavy tasks like analyzing large datasets, modeling protein structures, and tracking wildlife patterns. Those parts of the job are being handed off to AI tools more and more, which means biologists who don't adapt their skills could find themselves left behind.
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Biology is "Somewhat Resilient" because AI is genuinely changing how a lot of the work gets done, especially the data-heavy tasks like analyzing large datasets, modeling protein structures, and tracking wildlife patterns. Those parts of the job are being handed off to AI tools more and more, which means biologists who don't adapt their skills could find themselves left behind.
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Biologists
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Biologists jobs?
Right now, AI is mostly augmenting biologists rather than replacing them — meaning it's a powerful assistant, not a substitute. The data-heavy parts of the job (like coding, running analyses, and searching huge datasets) are where AI shines. Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of the ecological toolkit, helping researchers analyze large environmental datasets, uncover patterns in complex systems and develop new approaches to environmental research, and at the Ecological Society of America's 2026 Annual Meeting [1], featured talks cover automated wildlife monitoring and biodiversity observation networks to forecasting invasive species spread, assessing disease risk and improving food security monitoring.
In molecular biology, tools like AlphaFold — the AI that won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry [2] — now let scientists model protein structures they used to spend years puzzling out. McKinsey researchers note [3] that AI now has the potential to transform not just how drugs and devices are brought to market, but how the entire enterprise operates. Still, full replacement isn't close: a recent Nature news story reports [4] that computers are not yet ready to replace their makers when it comes to designing and running real research.
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Biologists?
Adoption is moving fast in biology — but unevenly. McKinsey describes [3] an adoption rate that is faster than anything we've ever seen, driven by huge economic payoffs in drug discovery, ecology, and diagnostics. Hiring data backs this up: CompBioJobs' Q2 2026 report [5] tracked 631 bioinformatics openings with average salaries climbing 9% in one quarter, and an AI-first startup posting up to $570K.
What slows adoption is that biology deals with living systems where mistakes matter — experiments still need physical validation, ethical review, and human judgment. That's why teaching, mentoring, conference work, and supervising other scientists (all rated under 5% automation risk) remain firmly human. The takeaway for students: learning coding, statistics, and how to work with AI tools is now as important as knowing how to pipette.
Sources
Will AI replace Biologists?
Not entirely. We think AI will take over some tasks, but not the whole job.
Biology sits at a 45.8% AI Resilience Score, which tells you this field is genuinely changing. AI is already handling the data-heavy work: analyzing large environmental datasets, modeling protein structures, and accelerating drug discovery. Tools like AlphaFold have reshaped what's possible in molecular biology [2], and McKinsey describes an adoption rate faster than anything we've ever seen in life sciences [3]. That's real disruption, and students should take it seriously.
But biology is still grounded in living systems where mistakes have real consequences. Experiments need physical validation, ethical oversight, and human judgment. Nature reports that computers are not yet ready to replace their makers when it comes to designing and running real research [4]. Teaching, mentoring, and supervising other scientists remain firmly human work. Those aren't small corners of the job.
The economic picture is mixed but not bleak. Bioinformatics hiring is active, with salaries climbing and AI-fluent candidates in demand [5]. The clearest path forward for students is learning to work with AI tools, not just around them. Coding, statistics, and data literacy are now as essential as any lab skill.
Sources
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Latest AI news for Biologists
These articles highlight the transformative impact of AI on biology careers, emphasizing how technology can enhance research and conservation efforts. For instance, the discovery of a natural molecule similar to Ozempic showcases AI's role in innovative drug development, while Swiss AI aids in wildlife conservation by identifying species across diverse habitats. As biologists adopt AI tools, they can unlock new opportunities, making the field more dynamic and accessible. Embracing AI advancements fosters resilience, preparing future biologists for a rapidly evolving landscape.
XunZi, an AI biologist, reveals disease-modifying targets
www.nature.com • 8/6/2026
Hypothesis generation in biomedicine is constrained by human cognitive limitations in synthesizing insights from fragmented biomedical...
AI helps Stanford scientists discover “natural Ozempic” without the usual side effects
www.sciencedaily.com • 7/23/2026
An AI-discovered natural molecule may deliver Ozempic-like weight loss without nausea, constipation, or significant muscle loss. · Anti-obesity...
What Happens When AI Transforms a Specialized Field Overnight?
insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu • 5/1/2026
Before AI came for your job, it came for the biologists'. But the AlphaFold story offers a promising glimpse of the future of human–AI...
How Swiss AI recognises wild animals – and helps biologists worldwide
www.swissinfo.ch • 4/8/2026
From identifying bears in Alaska to tracking deer in the Alps, Swiss-built AI is opening new frontiers in wildlife conservation.
AI-Powered Biology Careers in 2025: Opportunities with Machine Learning Skills
www.biotecnika.org • 9/24/2025
Key Roles in AI-Powered Biology Careers: Qualifications and Growth Opportunities · 01 Computational Biologist · 02 Bioinformatics Data Scientist.
More Career Info
Career: Biologists
They study living things, like plants and animals, to understand how they work, grow, and interact with their environment.
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Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$98,920
Jobs (2025)
59,600
Growth (2025-35)
+4.7%
Annual Openings
4,300
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-2035
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.
2
Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
3
Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpr...
4
Teach or supervise students and perform research at universities and colleges.
5
Plan and administer biological research programs for government, research firms, medical industries, or manufacturing firms.
6
Develop methods and apparatus for securing representative plant, animal, aquatic, or soil samples.
7
Study and manage wild animal populations.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
