Will AI replace Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators?

AI can do 53% of the work Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 27 tasks, while 9 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 16 physical tasks. 1 still needs a person.

AI is already doing this1 · 1% of time

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

  • Examine drawings, negatives, or photographic prints to determine coloring, shading, accenting, or other changes required for retouching or restoration.Mostly automated1% of time

AI could do this next9 · 51% of time

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

  • Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.13% of time
  • Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software.11% of time
  • Review computer-processed digital images for quality.7% of time
  • Load digital images onto computers directly from cameras or from storage devices, such as flash memory cards or universal serial bus (USB) devices.6% of time
  • Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures.6% of time
  • Maintain records, such as quantities or types of processing completed, materials used, or customer charges.3% of time
  • Retouch photographic negatives or original prints to correct defects.3% of time
  • Reprint originals for enlargement or in sections to be pieced together.1% of time
  • Upload digital images onto Web sites for customers.1% of time

Robots can technically do this16 · 43% 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.

  • Operate scanners or related computer equipment to digitize negatives, photographic prints, or other images.Robots: purpose built settings6% of time
  • Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements.Robots: structured workplaces6% of time
  • Examine developed prints for defects, such as broken lines, spots, or blurs.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Insert processed negatives and prints into envelopes for delivery to customers.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Load circuit boards, racks or rolls of film, negatives, or printing paper into processing or printing machines.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Monitor equipment operation to detect malfunctions.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Clean or maintain photoprocessing or darkroom equipment, using ultrasonic equipment or cleaning and rinsing solutions.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Operate special equipment to perform tasks such as transferring film to videotape or producing photographic enlargements.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Immerse film, negatives, paper, or prints in developing solutions, fixing solutions, and water to complete photographic development processes.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Place sensitized paper in frames of projection printers, photostats, or other reproduction machines.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Examine quality of film fades or dissolves for potential color corrections, using color analyzers.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Produce timed prints with separate densities or color settings for each scene of a production.Robots: structured workplacesunder 1% of time
  • Splice broken or separated film and mount film on reels.Robots: purpose built settingsunder 1% of time
  • Thread filmstrips through densitometers or sensitometers and expose film to light to determine density of film, necessary color corrections, or light sensitivity.Robots: purpose built settingsunder 1% of time

Still needs a person1 · 4% 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.

  • Read work orders to determine required processes, techniques, materials, or equipment.4% of time

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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 1 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

  • Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 9 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 16 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 1 task that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators35%Gem and Diamond Workers33%Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers78%Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers25%Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers22%Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers16%

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