Will AI replace Helpers--Extraction Workers?

AI can do 12% of the work Helpers--Extraction Workers do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 2 of them. Robots can technically handle 9 physical tasks. 3 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 next2 · 12% of time

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

  • Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.10% of time
  • Signal workers to start geological material extraction or boring.2% of time

Robots can technically do this9 · 56% 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.

  • Set up and adjust equipment used to excavate geological materials.Robots: structured workplaces9% of time
  • Clean up work areas and remove debris after extraction activities are complete.Robots: purpose built settings8% of time
  • Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites.Robots: structured workplaces7% of time
  • Organize materials to prepare for use.Robots: purpose built settings7% of time
  • Unload materials, devices, and machine parts, using hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings7% of time
  • Clean and prepare sites for excavation or boring.Robots: purpose built settings7% of time
  • Dismantle extracting and boring equipment used for excavation, using hand tools.Robots: structured workplaces6% of time
  • Load materials into well holes or into equipment, using hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Collect and examine geological matter, using hand tools and testing devices.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time

Still needs a person3 · 32% 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.

  • Provide assistance to extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers and derrick operators.20% of time
  • Repair and maintain automotive and drilling equipment, using hand tools.9% of time
  • Dig trenches.3% of time

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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 66% of the working time, though they are rarely cheap enough to replace people yet.

What to do next

  • Get ahead on the 2 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 9 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 3 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas14%Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining8%Rock Splitters, Quarry8%Continuous Mining Machine Operators6%Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas5%Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas21%

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