Will AI replace Helpers--Electricians?

AI can do 0% of the work Helpers--Electricians do at least twice as fast. None of their 25 tasks show real AI use yet. Robots can technically handle 21 physical tasks. 4 still need a person.

AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.

AI could do this next0 · 0% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • No other tasks in this job can be sped up by AI today.

Robots can technically do this21 · 80% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings10% of time
  • Perform semi-skilled and unskilled laboring duties related to the installation, maintenance and repair of a wide variety of electrical systems and equipment.Robots: purpose built settings9% of time
  • Transport tools, materials, equipment, and supplies to work site by hand, handtruck, or heavy, motorized truck.Robots: purpose built settings9% of time
  • Maintain tools, vehicles, and equipment and keep parts and supplies in order.Robots: purpose built settings7% of time
  • Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering.Robots: purpose built settings7% of time
  • Thread conduit ends, connect couplings, and fabricate and secure conduit support brackets, using hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings7% of time
  • Clean work area and wash parts.Robots: purpose built settings7% of time
  • Disassemble defective electrical equipment, replace defective or worn parts, and reassemble equipment, using hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Construct controllers and panels, using power drills, drill presses, taps, saws, and punches.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Erect electrical system components and barricades, and rig scaffolds, hoists, and shoring.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Raise, lower, or position equipment, tools, and materials, using hoist, hand line, or block and tackle.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Dig trenches or holes for installation of conduit or supports.Robots: structured workplaces2% of time
  • Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Install copper-clad ground rods, using a manual post driver.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time
  • Bolt component parts together to form tower assemblies, using hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Operate cutting torches and welding equipment, while working with conduit and metal components to construct devices associated with electrical functions.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Break up concrete, using airhammer, to facilitate installation, construction, or repair of equipment.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Solder electrical connections, using soldering iron.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Trim trees and clear undergrowth along right-of-way.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time
  • Operate heavy equipment, such as backhoes.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time

Still needs a person4 · 20% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Drill holes and pull or push wiring through openings, using hand and power tools.12% of time
  • String transmission lines or cables through ducts or conduits, under the ground, through equipment, or to towers.5% of time
  • Requisition materials, using warehouse requisition or release forms.1% of time
  • Paint a variety of objects related to electrical functions.1% of time

Your week is not the average

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What this means

Little of this work suits AI. The bigger change here is robots: today's robots can technically do 80% of the working time, though they are rarely cheap enough to replace people yet.

What to do next

  • Keep an eye on the 21 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 4 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters0%Helpers--Carpenters0%Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons0%Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters0%Helpers--Roofers0%Boilermakers0%

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