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How exposed to AI is a Industrial Engineer?

Of the 20 tasks O*NET lists for industrial engineers, 7 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 2 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Continuous Improvement EngineerEngineerFacilities EngineerIndustrial EngineerOperations EngineerPlant EngineerProcess EngineerProject EngineerQuality EngineerResearch and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer)
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
20
tasks rated for this occupation
74%
hold a degree, from a survey of 29
294k
people do this job in the US
1 of 56
least protected in architecture and engineering

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

7
  • Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization
  • Review production schedules, engineering specifications, orders, and related information to obtain knowledge of manufacturing methods, procedures, and activities
  • Complete production reports, purchase orders, and material, tool, and equipment lists
  • Study operations sequence, material flow, functional statements, organization charts, and project information to determine worker functions and responsibilities
  • Formulate sampling procedures and designs and develop forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data
  • Regulate and alter workflow schedules according to established manufacturing sequences and lead times to expedite production operations
  • Schedule deliveries based on production forecasts, material substitutions, storage and handling facilities, and maintenance requirements

Only with software built on top

11
  • Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control
  • Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product
  • Communicate with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards
  • Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan
  • Record or oversee recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems
  • Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer
  • Direct workers engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability
  • Develop manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff and facility utilization
  • Coordinate and implement quality control objectives, activities, or procedures to resolve production problems, maximize product reliability, or minimize costs
  • Implement methods and procedures for disposition of discrepant material and defective or damaged parts, and assess cost and responsibility
  • Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to determine manufacturing processes, staff requirements, and production standards

Cannot be sped up

2
  • Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status
  • Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.