Will AI replace Non-Destructive Testing Specialists?

AI can do 52% of the work Non-Destructive Testing Specialists 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 8 of them. Robots can technically handle 8 physical tasks.

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 next8 · 52% of time

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

  • Make radiographic images to detect flaws in objects while leaving objects intact.10% of time
  • Interpret the results of all methods of non-destructive testing (NDT), such as acoustic emission, electromagnetic, leak, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, neutron radiographic, radiographic, thermal or infrared, ultrasonic, vibration analysis, and visual testing.10% of time
  • Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results.9% of time
  • Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures.7% of time
  • Supervise or direct the work of non-destructive testing trainees or staff.5% of time
  • Document non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results.5% of time
  • Produce images of objects on film, using radiographic techniques.3% of time
  • Map the presence of imperfections within objects, using sonic measurements.2% of time

Robots can technically do this8 · 48% 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.

  • Identify defects in solid materials, using ultrasonic testing techniques.Robots: purpose built settings13% of time
  • Select, calibrate, or operate equipment used in the non-destructive testing of products or materials.Robots: purpose built settings9% of time
  • Visually examine materials, structures, or components for signs of corrosion, metal fatigue, cracks, or other flaws, using tools and equipment such as endoscopes, closed-circuit television systems, and fiber optics.Robots: purpose built settings8% of time
  • Examine structures or vehicles such as aircraft, trains, nuclear reactors, bridges, dams, and pipelines, using non-destructive testing techniques.Robots: structured workplaces8% of time
  • Conduct liquid penetrant tests to locate surface cracks by coating objects with fluorescent dyes, cleaning excess penetrant, and applying developer.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
  • Develop or use new non-destructive testing methods, such as acoustic emission testing, leak testing, and thermal or infrared testing.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Identify defects in concrete or other building materials, using thermal or infrared testing.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time
  • Evaluate material properties, using radio astronomy, voltage and amperage measurement, or rheometric flow measurement.Robots: purpose built settingsunder 1% of time

Still needs a person0 · 0% 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.

  • Every task in this job is touched by AI or robots in some way.

Your week is not the average

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What this means

AI can do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. Real use is still behind at 0 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.

What to do next

  • Get ahead on the 8 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 8 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians46%Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians65%Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians46%Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians30%Robotics Technicians38%Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians60%

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