How over is it?

A mood ring wired to real instruments

AI exposure Architecture and engineering

Will AI replace surveyors?

Surveyors. US occupation 17-1022.

0.2%

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

Ranked 345 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 54% of them.Further along than 54% of them.

Average US job 7.7%

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

What AI already does for surveyorsWhat surveyors no longer do alone

O*NET lists 40 tasks for surveyors. AI use at work shows up in 1 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. Develop criteria for the design and modification of survey instruments. mostly automated 1.00

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

39 of the 40 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Adjust surveying instruments to maintain their accuracy.Core task
  • Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.Core task
  • Analyze survey objectives and specifications to prepare survey proposals or to direct others in survey proposal preparation.Core task
  • Assess the quality of control data to determine the need for additional survey data for engineering, construction, or other projects.Core task
  • Calculate heights, depths, relative positions, property lines, and other characteristics of terrain.Core task
  • Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.Core task
Show the other 33
  • Compute geodetic measurements and interpret survey data to determine positions, shapes, and elevations of geomorphic and topographic features.Core task
  • Compute horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks, using direct leveling or other geodetic survey techniques, such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing, to establish features of the Earth's surface.Core task
  • Compute, retrace, or adjust existing surveys of features such as highway alignments, property boundaries, utilities, control and other surveys to match the ground elevation-dependent grids, geodetic grids, or property boundaries and to ensure accuracy and continuity of data used in engineering, surveying, or construction projects.Core task
  • Conduct research in surveying and mapping methods, using knowledge of photogrammetric map compilation and electronic data processing.Core task
  • Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.Core task
  • Coordinate findings with the work of engineering and architectural personnel, clients, and others concerned with projects.Core task
  • Determine longitudes and latitudes of important features and boundaries in survey areas, using theodolites, transits, levels, and satellite-based global positioning systems (GPS).Core task
  • Determine orientation of tracts of land, including position, boundaries, size, and shape, using theodolites, electronic distance-measuring equipment, satellite-based positioning equipment, land information systems, or other geodetic survey equipment.Core task
  • Develop criteria for survey methods and procedures.Core task
  • Direct aerial surveys of specified geographical areas.Core task
  • Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.Core task
  • Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.Core task
  • Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments.Core task
  • Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.Core task
  • Plan and conduct ground surveys designed to establish baselines, elevations, and other geodetic measurements.Core task
  • Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.Core task
  • Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.Core task
  • Prepare progress or technical reports.Core task
  • Prepare, or supervise preparation of, all data, charts, plots, maps, records, and documents related to surveys.Core task
  • Provide training and interpretation in the use of methods or procedures for observing and checking controls for geodetic and plane coordinates.Core task
  • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in technology, equipment, or systems.Core task
  • Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.Core task
  • Request additional survey data when field collection errors occur or engineering surveying specifications are not maintained.Core task
  • Review existing standards, controls, or equipment used, recommending changes or upgrades as needed.Core task
  • Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.Core task
  • Survey bodies of water to determine navigable channels and to secure data for construction of breakwaters, piers, and other marine structures.Core task
  • Testify as an expert witness in court cases on land survey issues, such as property boundaries.Core task
  • Train assistants and helpers, and direct their work in such activities as performing surveys or drafting maps.Core task
  • Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.Core task
  • Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.Core task
  • Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.Core task
  • Determine specifications for equipment to be used for aerial photography, as well as altitudes from which to photograph terrain.
  • Locate and mark sites selected for geophysical prospecting activities, such as efforts to locate petroleum or other mineral products.

How that compares

Among the 34 architecture and engineering occupations, surveyors rank 19. The group averages 3.8%, and its most exposed job is Computer Hardware Engineers at 14.5%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Just above in the ranking

  1. 342Child, Family, and School Social Workers 0.7%
  2. 343Agricultural Technicians 0.6%
  3. 343Special Education Teachers, Preschool 0.6%

Just below

  1. 346Acupuncturists 0.0%
  2. 346Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders 0.0%
  3. 346Administrative Services Managers 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.