Will AI replace Stockers and Order Fillers?

AI can do 12% of the work Stockers and Order Fillers 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 19 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 next8 · 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.

  • Read orders to ascertain catalog numbers, sizes, colors, and quantities of merchandise.3% of time
  • Answer customers' questions about merchandise and advise customers on merchandise selection.3% of time
  • Complete order receipts.1% of time
  • Dispose of damaged or defective items, or return them to vendors.1% of time
  • Keep records on the use or damage of stock or stock-handling equipment.1% of time
  • Keep records of out-going orders.1% of time
  • Recommend disposal of excess, defective, or obsolete stock.under 1% of time
  • Compute prices of items or groups of items.under 1% of time

Robots can technically do this19 · 84% 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.

  • Stock shelves, racks, cases, bins, and tables with new or transferred merchandise.Robots: purpose built settings22% of time
  • Obtain merchandise from bins or shelves.Robots: purpose built settings13% of time
  • Receive, unload, open, unpack, or issue sales floor merchandise.Robots: purpose built settings10% of time
  • Receive and count stock items, and record data manually or on computer.Robots: structured workplaces6% of time
  • Operate equipment such as forklifts.Robots: structured workplaces6% of time
  • Store items in an orderly and accessible manner in warehouses, tool rooms, supply rooms, or other areas.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Take inventory or examine merchandise to identify items to be reordered or replenished.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
  • Stamp, attach, or change price tags on merchandise, referring to price list.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Pack and unpack items to be stocked on shelves in stockrooms, warehouses, or storage yards.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Examine and inspect stock items for wear or defects, reporting any damage to supervisors.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Compare merchandise invoices to items actually received to ensure that shipments are correct.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Itemize and total customer merchandise selection at checkout counter, using cash register, and accept cash or charge card for purchases.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Transport packages to customers' vehicles.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Mark stock items, using identification tags, stamps, electric marking tools, or other labeling equipment.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Issue or distribute materials, products, parts, and supplies to customers or coworkers, based on information from incoming requisitions.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Clean display cases, shelves, and aisles.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Design and set up advertising signs and displays of merchandise on shelves, counters, or tables to attract customers and promote sales.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Pack customer purchases in bags or cartons.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Clean and maintain supplies, tools, equipment, and storage areas to ensure compliance with safety regulations.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time

Still needs a person3 · 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.

  • Provide assistance or direction to other stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard workers.1% of time
  • Requisition merchandise from supplier, based on available space, merchandise on hand, customer demand, or advertised specials.1% of time
  • Determine proper storage methods, identification, and stock location, based on turnover, environmental factors, and physical capabilities of facilities.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 86% of the working time, though they are rarely cheap enough to replace people yet.

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 19 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.
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment0%Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand8%Recycling and Reclamation Workers3%Machine Feeders and Offbearers8%Packers and Packagers, Hand10%Hoist and Winch Operators11%

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