Will AI replace Machinists?
Estimated risk score: 22 out of 100
Very low replacement risk
Estimate from published task research, not reviewed by a person · how we estimate
Within about 19 points for 4 in 5 of the jobs we checked (3 to 41).
For the occupation as a whole, from ratings of its 29 O*NET tasks published in 2023 and calibrated to our hand scores. A specialty inside it can sit higher or lower.
O*NET-SOC 51-4041.00 · Production
Tasks rated in 2023 as ones AI could do or speed up
Tasks a GPT-4-class model could do, or do in half the time or less: 5 of its 29 rated tasks. In O*NET’s words.
- Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
- Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
- Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
- Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
- Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
Tasks rated in 2023 as not sped up by AI
Tasks such a model was rated as not speeding up or taking over: 20 of its 29 rated tasks; the first 6 are shown. In O*NET’s words.
- Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
- Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
- Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
- Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
- Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
- Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
What the job is
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
Also called: Tool Room Machinist, CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist), Jobber, Mechanist, Lab Machinist, Auto Machinist, Gear Machinist, Machine Fitter.
Source. This site includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. (O*NET, CC BY 4.0.) Task ratings: Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock (2023), “GPTs are GPTs: An Early Look at the Labor Market Impact Potential of Large Language Models”, data used under the MIT licence (licence texts). Our change: we averaged the ratings over this occupation’s tasks and calibrated them to our 0–100 scale. It is not a prediction about any one person and not career advice. Disagree? Write to hello@yourstopwashit.com. How we estimate