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AI exposure Production

Will AI replace patternmakers?

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic. US occupation 51-4062.

0.0%

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

O*NET lists 15 tasks for patternmakers. 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.

  • Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.Core task
  • Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.Core task
  • Construct platforms, fixtures, and jigs for holding and placing patterns.Core task
  • Design and create templates, patterns, or coreboxes according to work orders, sample parts, or mockups.Core task
  • Lay out and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments.Core task
  • Mark identification numbers or symbols onto patterns or templates.Core task
Show the other 9
  • Paint or lacquer patterns.Core task
  • Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences.Core task
  • Repair and rework templates and patterns.Core task
  • Select pattern materials such as wood, resin, and fiberglass.Core task
  • Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.Core task
  • Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.Core task
  • Apply plastic-impregnated fabrics or coats of sealing wax or lacquer to patterns used to produce plastic.
  • Create computer models of patterns or parts, using modeling software.
  • Program computerized numerical control machine tools.

How that compares

Among the 98 production occupations, patternmakers rank 71. 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

Level with 0.0%

  1. 346Parking Attendants 0.0%
  2. 346Parking Enforcement Workers 0.0%
  3. 346Parts Salespersons 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.