Analyze geological samples.

Analyze geological samples. is a detailed work activity in O*NET — a concrete unit of work shared across 3 occupations and seen in 4 occupation-specific tasks. It rolls up into the broader work activity Analyze environmental or geospatial data. in Analyzing Data or Information .

Detailed work activities are the most granular shared layer in O*NET's work-activity hierarchy (Generalized → Intermediate → Detailed → occupation-specific task). The figures below describe how this activity shows up across the economy and what independent studies measure about AI and this kind of work — not a prediction that the work will be automated.

AI exposure

Of the 4 tasks under this activity that the OpenAI / Eloundou “GPTs are GPTs” study rated, 2 (50%) are flagged as directly exposed to language models (E1) or exposed via model-powered tools (E2).

Exposure estimates overlap with model capabilities — whether a model could speed the task up — not whether the work will be done by software. Observed AI use is augmentation and assistance today, not jobs replaced.

Member tasks

Occupation-specific tasks O*NET maps to this detailed work activity, most important first.

• Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment. · Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians · importance 4.6 · exposure with tools
• 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 · importance 3.7 · no direct exposure
• Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments. · Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers · importance 3.5 · no direct exposure
• Evaluate and interpret core samples and cuttings, and other geological data used in prospecting for oil or gas. · Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians · importance 3.2 · exposure with tools

Occupations that perform this

• Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
• Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

• O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
• “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

@misc{singulariki-analyze-geological-samples,
  title  = {Analyze geological samples.},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/detailed-activities/analyze-geological-samples}
}