Trades & AI: Job Impacts
How to Adapt and Survive and Understanding the Impact of AI on Tradesmen Professions and Exploring New Opportunities for Electricians
As advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation continue to reshape the job market, many tradesmen professions face a varying degree of disruption. In this blog, we will explore the potential impact of AI on different trades, with a focus on electricians and their subfields. We will also discuss alternative job opportunities for the most affected electrician subfields, highlighting how they can adapt their existing skills to thrive in a changing job landscape.
AI's Impact on Trades: Risk Percentages and Descriptions
Below is a list of common tradesmen professions, ordered from most to least affected by AI, along with a rough estimate of job loss or replacement and a brief explanation of how AI will impact each trade:
Auto mechanics (60%): AI-driven diagnostics, maintenance, and repair systems will automate many tasks in vehicle servicing.
Welders (50%): Robotics and AI-guided systems will perform precision welding tasks in various industries.
Heavy equipment operators (45%): Autonomous machinery and equipment will reduce the need for human operators in construction, mining, and agriculture.
Electricians (40%): Smart systems, AI-driven automation, and remote monitoring will reduce demand for on-site electrical work.
HVAC technicians (40%): Advanced AI-powered diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and self-regulating systems will decrease the need for human technicians.
Plumbers (35%): Automation, smart systems, and remote diagnostics will streamline plumbing tasks, reducing human involvement.
Sheet metal workers (35%): Robotics and AI-driven fabrication processes will automate sheet metal cutting, bending, and assembly tasks.
Carpenters (30%): Prefabrication, robotic assembly, and AI-driven design will reduce the demand for on-site carpentry work.
Bricklayers and masons (30%): Robotic systems will automate bricklaying and masonry tasks, in large-scale construction.
Pipefitters (25%): AI-guided tools and robotics will automate pipe cutting, threading, and fitting tasks.
Roofers (25%): Drones, robotics, and AI-driven project management will reduce the need for human labor in roofing tasks.
Painters (20%): Robotic systems will automate painting tasks, in large-scale projects, reducing demand for human painters.
Tile setters (20%): Robotics and AI-driven tools will automate tile cutting and placement tasks.
Locksmiths (15%): AI-driven security systems and smart locks will reduce the demand for locksmith services.
Cabinetmakers (15%): AI-driven design and prefabrication will streamline cabinet making, reducing the need for on-site work.
Ironworkers (10%): AI-driven tools will assist in repetitive tasks, but the physical and specialized nature of ironwork will limit the impact.
Glaziers (10%): AI-guided tools will assist in cutting and installation, but the specialized nature of glazing will limit the impact.
Plasterers (10%): Robotics may assist in plastering tasks, but the artisanal nature of the work will limit AI's overall impact.
Insulation workers (5%): AI-driven tools and equipment may assist in insulation tasks, but the manual and specialized nature of the work will limit AI's overall impact.
These estimates are based on current knowledge and trends, and the actual impact of AI on these trades may vary.
Impact of AI on Electrician Subfields
Several subfields within the electrical trade may be affected by AI and automation. Some examples include:
Auto Electricians (60%): With the growth of electric and autonomous vehicles, AI-driven diagnostics and maintenance systems will automate many tasks in vehicle electrical servicing.
2. Industrial Electricians (50%): In manufacturing and production facilities, AI-guided robots and automation systems will handle tasks such as equipment installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Residential Electricians (40%): Smart home systems and AI-driven project management tools will streamline tasks in residential electrical work, reducing human involvement in tasks such as installation, maintenance, and repair.
Commercial Electricians (35%): AI-driven building management systems and automation will reduce the need for human electricians in commercial building projects, although specialized tasks and retrofits may still require human expertise.
Solar Electricians (30%): AI-guided tools and robotics will assist in the installation and maintenance of solar panels, but the specialized nature of solar installations will limit the overall impact.
Alternative Job Opportunities for the Top 3 Most Affected Electrician Subfields
For electricians in the top 3 affected subfields, here are alternative job opportunities and how they can adapt their existing skills to transition into these new roles:
1. Auto Electricians
a. Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Technician: Auto electricians can leverage their expertise in vehicle electrical systems to install, maintain, and repair EV charging stations, which are expected to grow in demand as EV adoption increases.
b. EV Conversion Specialist: Auto electricians can use their skills to convert traditional internal combustion engine vehicles into electric vehicles, a niche market with potential growth as more people opt for sustainable transportation.
c. Autonomous Vehicle Technician: As the autonomous vehicle industry grows, auto electricians can transition into roles maintaining and repairing the electrical and electronic systems of self-driving cars.
2. Industrial Electricians
a. Industrial Automation Specialist: Industrial electricians can apply their knowledge of electrical systems to design, install, and maintain automated machinery and robotics used in manufacturing and production facilities.
b. Control Systems Engineer: Industrial electricians can use their experience with electrical systems and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to design, develop, and maintain control systems for various industries, such as manufacturing or energy production.
c. Maintenance Technician for Renewable Energy Systems: Industrial electricians can transition into roles maintaining and repairing electrical systems in renewable energy facilities, such as wind turbines or solar power plants, leveraging their expertise in industrial settings.
3. Residential Electricians
a. Smart Home Integrator: Residential electricians can adapt their skills to design, install, and maintain smart home systems, including lighting, security, and energy management, as the demand for smart home technology increases.
b. Energy Efficiency Consultant: Residential electricians can use their understanding of residential electrical systems to help homeowners and builders design and implement energy-efficient solutions, such as LED lighting, solar power systems, and energy management systems.
c. Home Automation and Security System Installer: Residential electricians can transition into roles installing and maintaining home automation and security systems, leveraging their experience with wiring and system integration.
My thoughts
I would like to thank the youtube viewer who asked me to look into tradesman and specifically electricians as i thought this was not a field that would be greatly impacted but my research showed how in many ways, AI will impact many of the tradies fields.
Many of these professions will be safe in the short term and AI will only offer ways to improve their job or performance and results.
There are some professions that should be concerned and take steps to adapt for the future, wether it be learning to use AI to their advantage, or make plans to change there profession using there existing skillset to get that head start before its a too late to adjust.
As the job market evolves in response to AI and automation, tradesmen, particularly electricians, must adapt their skills to stay relevant and find new opportunities. By staying informed about industry trends and seeking out alternative career paths, electricians in affected subfields can continue to thrive in a changing landscape.
Thanks for reading or watching my blog/videos and hopefully I have been of some help to you in this one today.
