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How exposed to AI is a Non-Destructive Testing Specialist?

Of the 16 tasks O*NET lists for non-destructive testing specialists, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 8 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
Industrial RadiographerNDE Technician (Non-Destructive Evaluation Technician)NDT Coordinator (Non-Destructive Testing Coordinator)NDT Inspector (Non-Destructing Testing Inspector)NDT Specialist (Non-Destructive Testing Specialist)NDT Technical Specialist (Non-Destructive Testing Technical Specialist)NDT Technician (Non-Destructive Testing Technician)
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
16
tasks rated for this occupation
9%
hold a degree, from a survey of 22
74k
people do this job in the US
47 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.

Only with software built on top

8
  • Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures
  • Interpret the results of all methods of non-destructive testing (NDT), such as acoustic emission, electromagnetic, leak, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, neutron radiographic, radiographic, thermal or infrared, ultrasonic, vibration analysis, and visual testing
  • Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results
  • Document non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results
  • Supervise or direct the work of non-destructive testing trainees or staff
  • Produce images of objects on film, using radiographic techniques
  • Make radiographic images to detect flaws in objects while leaving objects intact
  • Map the presence of imperfections within objects, using sonic measurements

Cannot be sped up

8
  • Examine structures or vehicles such as aircraft, trains, nuclear reactors, bridges, dams, and pipelines, using non-destructive testing techniques
  • Select, calibrate, or operate equipment used in the non-destructive testing of products or materials
  • Identify defects in solid materials, using ultrasonic testing techniques
  • Conduct liquid penetrant tests to locate surface cracks by coating objects with fluorescent dyes, cleaning excess penetrant, and applying developer
  • Visually examine materials, structures, or components for signs of corrosion, metal fatigue, cracks, or other flaws, using tools and equipment such as endoscopes, closed-circuit television systems, and fiber optics
  • Identify defects in concrete or other building materials, using thermal or infrared testing
  • Develop or use new non-destructive testing methods, such as acoustic emission testing, leak testing, and thermal or infrared testing
  • Evaluate material properties, using radio astronomy, voltage and amperage measurement, or rheometric flow measurement
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.