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AI exposure Transportation and material moving

Will AI replace locomotive engineers?

Locomotive Engineers. US occupation 53-4011.

0.0%

of the time locomotive engineers spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of locomotive engineers' 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 locomotive engineersWhat locomotive engineers no longer do alone

O*NET lists 15 tasks for locomotive engineers. 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.

  • Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.Core task
  • Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.Core task
  • Check to ensure that documentation, such as procedure manuals or logbooks, are in the driver's cab and available for staff use.Core task
  • Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.Core task
  • Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.Core task
  • Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.Core task
Show the other 9
  • Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.Core task
  • Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.Core task
  • Observe tracks to detect obstructions.Core task
  • Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.Core task
  • Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.Core task
  • Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.Core task
  • Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.Core task
  • Drive diesel-electric rail-detector cars to transport rail-flaw-detecting machines over tracks.
  • Monitor train loading procedures to ensure that freight or rolling stock are loaded or unloaded without damage.

How that compares

Among the 44 transportation and material moving occupations, locomotive engineers rank 25. The group averages 0.6%, and its most exposed job is Passenger Attendants at 11.7%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Level with 0.0%

  1. 346Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining 0.0%
  2. 346Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants 0.0%
  3. 346Locksmiths and Safe Repairers 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.