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AI exposure Production

Will AI replace Helpers--Production workers?

Helpers--Production Workers. US occupation 51-9198.

3.9%

of the time Helpers--Production workers spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of Helpers--Production workers' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.

Ranked 278 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 62% of them.Further along than 62% of them.

Average US job 7.7%

Around the middle of the pack.Keeping pace with the average job.

What AI already does for Helpers--Production workersWhat Helpers--Production workers no longer do alone

O*NET lists 34 tasks for Helpers--Production workers. AI use at work shows up in 2 of them. Each score runs from 0.5, where every observed use helps a person with the task, to 1, where every use does the task outright.

  1. Record information, such as the number of products tested, meter readings, or dates and times of product production. mostly automated 1.00
  2. Read gauges or charts, and record data obtained. mostly automated 0.98

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

32 of the 34 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete.Core task
  • Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.Core task
  • Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment.Core task
  • Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists.Core task
  • Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.Core task
  • Mark or tag identification on parts.Core task
Show the other 26
  • Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.Core task
  • Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.Core task
  • Pack and store materials and products.Core task
  • Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.Core task
  • Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.Core task
  • Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them.Core task
  • Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks.Core task
  • Wash work areas, machines, equipment, vehicles, or products.Core task
  • Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles.
  • Break up defective products for reprocessing.
  • Change machine gears, using wrenches.
  • Clean and lubricate equipment.
  • Cut or break flashing from materials or products.
  • Dump materials such as prepared ingredients into machine hoppers prior to mixing.
  • Fold products and product parts during processing.
  • Measure amounts of products, lengths of extruded articles, or weights of filled containers to ensure conformance to specifications.
  • Mix ingredients according to specified procedures or formulas.
  • Perform minor repairs to machines, such as replacing damaged or worn parts.
  • Position spouts or chutes of storage bins so that containers can be filled.
  • Prepare raw materials for processing.
  • Signal coworkers to direct them to move products during the production process.
  • Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.
  • Thread ends of items such as thread, cloth, and lace through needles and rollers, and around take-up tubes.
  • Tie products in bundles for further processing or shipment, following prescribed procedures.
  • Turn valves to regulate flow of liquids or air, to reverse machines, to start pumps, or to regulate equipment.
  • Unclamp and hoist full reels from braiding, winding, or other fabricating machines, using power hoists.

How that compares

Among the 98 production occupations, Helpers--Production workers rank 7. The group averages 0.8%, and its most exposed job is Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers at 12.1%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Just above in the ranking

  1. 275Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 4.0%
  2. 275Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare 4.0%
  3. 275Therapists, All Other 4.0%

Just below

  1. 281Atmospheric and Space Scientists 3.8%
  2. 281Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 3.8%
  3. 281Physical Scientists, All Other 3.8%

What this does and does not mean

Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.

A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.

Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.