ISCO-08 3141
Life science technicians (excluding medical)
36.4%
ADI · 222nd of 433 · 95% interval 23.6–50.5
An AI agent can at least partly carry out 36.4% of the task time of life science technicians (excluding medical), and finish 1.7% alone. The barrier that holds most of the rest back is access to the systems the work runs on.
ADI · partial or full36.4%
222nd of 433 · interval 23.6–50.5
ADI3 · full delegation1.7%
126th of 433 · interval 0.0–5.3
ADIs · share of time40.2%
187th of 433 · interval 34.0–46.5
Evidence42
task statements rated by two models and weighted by importance and frequency. World employment: 0.7 million.
Task weight by level
How the tasks rate
L0No meaningful role · 10.6%L1Augmentation · 53.0%L2Partial delegation · 34.7%L3Full delegation · 1.7%
Barriers
What stops the agent
Share of task weight flagged by each barrier; a task can carry several.
42 task statements, heaviest first
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Weight | Level | Sonnet · Haiku | Share | Human time | Barriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.Biological Technicians | 4.0% | L1 | L1L2 | 45% | 1.5 h | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.Biological Technicians | 3.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 48% | 32 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.Biological Technicians · supplemental task | 3.5% | L1 | L1L2 | 28% | 5.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.Biological Technicians | 3.4% | L1 | L1L2 | 30% | 5.0 h | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.Biological Technicians | 3.3% | L1 | L1L1 | 22% | 2.4 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.Biological Technicians | 3.3% | L1 | L1L2 | 35% | 2.5 h | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Input data into databases.Biological Technicians | 3.2% | L2 | L2L3 | 78% | 45 min | Access to systems |
| Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.Biological Technicians | 3.1% | L2 | L2L2 | 72% | 3.0 h | Access to systems |
| Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.Biological Technicians | 2.9% | L0 | L0L1 | 10% | 1.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.Biological Technicians | 2.8% | L0 | L0L1 | 14% | 1.3 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.Biological Technicians | 2.7% | L1 | L1L2 | 38% | 2.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.Biological Technicians | 2.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 22% | 1.1 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.6% | L2 | L2L2 | 68% | 2.0 h | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 20% | 2.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.5% | L0 | L0L2 | 18% | 50 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
Show the other 27 tasks
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Weight | Level | Sonnet · Haiku | Share | Human time | Barriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.Biological Technicians · supplemental task | 2.5% | L1 | L1L2 | 22% | 52 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Discuss test results and analyses with customers.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 52% | 30 min | Accountability, Trust and care |
| Feed livestock or laboratory animals.Biological Technicians · supplemental task | 2.4% | L0 | L0L1 | 15% | 38 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.Biological Technicians · supplemental task | 2.4% | L1 | L1L2 | 28% | 1.8 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.Biological Technicians · supplemental task | 2.4% | L1 | L1L2 | 22% | 38 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 55% | 50 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 65% | 1.0 h | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.3% | L1 | L1L2 | 28% | 1.1 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health · supplemental task | 2.2% | L1 | L1L2 | 25% | 2.3 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.2% | L1 | L1L2 | 25% | 3.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.2% | L1 | L1L2 | 28% | 4.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.1% | L1 | L1L1 | 20% | 3.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.0% | L2 | L2L2 | 50% | 6.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.0% | L1 | L1L1 | 20% | 52 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 2.0% | L2 | L2L2 | 55% | 2.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.Biological Technicians | 2.0% | L2 | L2L3 | 75% | 30 min | Access to systems |
| Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 1.9% | L2 | L3L2 | 78% | 45 min | Access to systems |
| Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 1.9% | L2 | L2L2 | 48% | 1.8 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Direct activities of workers in laboratory.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 1.8% | L1 | L1L2 | 28% | 1.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health · supplemental task | 1.7% | L2 | L2L2 | 62% | 45 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health · supplemental task | 1.7% | L1 | L1L2 | 22% | 52 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Perform statistical analysis of environmental data.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 1.7% | L3 | L3L3 | 85% | 2.5 h | – |
| Develop testing procedures.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 1.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 62% | 4.0 h | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 1.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 52% | 8.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Distribute permits, closure plans, or cleanup plans.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health · supplemental task | 1.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 68% | 1.1 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health · supplemental task | 1.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 55% | 3.0 h | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes, and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts.Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 1.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 62% | 4.0 h | Accountability, Access to systems |
Level: consensus of the two models (the lower level when they disagree). Share: part of the task’s working time an agent could take over. Human time: minutes a competent person needs for one instance, as estimated by the models.
Against other measures
Exposure is not delegation
| Measure | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| ADI (this index) | 36.4% | 49 |
| Eloundou et al. (2024), GPT exposure β | 0.446 | 68 |
| Felten et al. (2021), AI occupational exposure | 0.159 | 55 |
| Webb (2020), AI patent exposure | 83 | 78 |
| Eisfeldt et al. (2026), generative AI exposure | 0.354 | 73 |
| Anthropic Economic Index, observed use | 0.102 | 72 |
Earlier indices measure whether AI can touch a task; ADI measures how much of it an agent can carry out from a goal. – : the source does not cover this occupation.
Same sub-major group (31)
Neighbouring occupations
| Occupation | ADI | % |
|---|---|---|
| Process control technicians not elsewhere classified 3139 | 91.1 | |
| Draughtspersons 3118 | 82.3 | |
| Mining supervisors 3121 | 71.6 | |
| Construction supervisors 3123 | 71.6 | |
| Chemical and physical science technicians 3111 | 69.7 | |
| Electronics engineering technicians 3114 | 60.2 | |
| Civil engineering technicians 3112 | 57.6 | |
| Manufacturing supervisors 3122 | 56.5 | |
| Air traffic safety electronics technicians 3155 | 54.7 | |
| Mining and metallurgical technicians 3117 | 51.5 | |
| Physical and engineering science technicians not elsewhere classified 3119 | 51.1 | |
| Mechanical engineering technicians 3115 | 50.0 |
Dashed line: life science technicians (excluding medical) (36.4%).
Cite this record
Text
Espinal Maya, Cristian, and Santiago Jiménez Londoño. 2026. ADI v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and MCP server. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918. Record: Life science technicians (excluding medical) (ISCO-08 3141), https://balamlabs.org/adi/occupations/3141
BibTeX
@misc{espinal2026adidata,
title = {{ADI} v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and {MCP} server},
author = {Espinal Maya, Cristian and Jim{\'e}nez Londo{\~n}o, Santiago},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Zenodo},
version = {v2026.1},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
note = {Record: Life science technicians (excluding medical) (ISCO-08 3141)}
}Machine-readable
The same record as static JSON, with its citation: /adi/v2026.1/isco/3141.json.