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AI exposure Protective service

Will AI replace lifeguards?

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers. US occupation 33-9092.

0.0%

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

Ranked 346 of 756 US occupations. No AI use seen in the work yet, along with 410 other occupations.No handover started yet, along with 410 other occupations.

Average US job 7.7%

Among the least exposed jobs there are.Still waiting for liberation.

What AI already does for lifeguardsWhat lifeguards no longer do alone

O*NET lists 15 tasks for lifeguards. None of them shows meaningful AI use at work yet.

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

15 of the 15 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.Core task
  • Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.Core task
  • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.Core task
  • Inspect recreational equipment, such as rope tows, T-bars, J-bars, or chair lifts, for safety hazards and damage or wear.Core task
  • Inspect recreational facilities for cleanliness.Core task
  • Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.Core task
Show the other 9
  • Maintain quality of pool water by testing chemical levels.Core task
  • Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.Core task
  • Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.Core task
  • Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.Core task
  • Observe activities in assigned areas, using binoculars, to detect hazards, disturbances, or safety infractions.
  • Operate underwater recovery units.
  • Participate in recreational demonstrations to entertain resort guests.
  • Provide assistance in the safe use of equipment, such as ski lifts.
  • Provide assistance with staff selection, training, and supervision.

How that compares

Among the 21 protective service occupations, lifeguards rank 16. The group averages 1.2%, and its most exposed job is Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers at 12.3%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Level with 0.0%

  1. 346Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants 0.0%
  2. 346Legislators 0.0%
  3. 346Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 0.0%

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.