When Will AI Replace Dressueur d'animaux ?

The impact of AI on animal trainers will unfold in waves. By 2028, approximately 45% of tasks will be automated. Early impacts will be felt by junior trainers focusing on basic obedience, with automation beginning as soon as 2026. This initial phase will target administrative work like scheduling, record-keeping, and client communications, alongside standardized basic obedience protocols.

The mid-wave of AI integration will see further automation of routine tasks. While the executive summary doesn't provide exact percentages for this phase, it emphasizes that complex behavioral modification, performance training for entertainment, service animal preparation, and hands-on animal handling will remain largely human domains. This suggests a gradual shift rather than an immediate overhaul for specialized roles.

Late-stage impact, extending to 2030 and beyond, will primarily affect those in highly specialized niches. Trainers working with service animals, film/TV, exotic animals, or as behavioral specialists can anticipate a longer runway for their careers. The core challenge for AI in this phase is replicating the intuition, empathy, and real-time adaptation crucial for advanced animal behavior work.

Junior trainers whose work primarily involves basic obedience classes are most at risk for early impact, with automation beginning as soon as 2026. These roles often involve standardized protocols that are more susceptible to AI-driven solutions, such as apps and video instruction for basic commands. Administrative tasks like scheduling and client communication will also be automated, affecting trainers across all levels.

Conversely, specialized animal trainers are in a safer position. Those focusing on complex behavioral modification, preparing service animals, performance training for entertainment, working with exotic animals, or providing behavioral rehabilitation can extend their careers to 2030 and beyond. Demand remains strong in these high-value niches, where the human elements of intuition, empathy, and real-time adaptation are irreplaceable.

You have a crucial 4-6 year window to upskill and specialize. Focus on developing expertise in complex behavioral modification, service animal preparation, entertainment training, or exotic animal handling. These are areas where AI currently struggles to replicate human intuition and empathy.

Embrace continuous learning and consider specialized certifications. While AI can deliver standardized training protocols via apps and video, it cannot replace the nuanced understanding and real-time adaptation required for advanced animal behavior work. High-value niches offer sustained demand and career longevity.