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How exposed to AI is a Photonics Engineer?

Of the 26 tasks O*NET lists for photonics engineers, 3 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 15 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
Algorithm DeveloperLaser EngineerOptical Design EngineerOptical EngineerOptical SpecialistOptical Systems EngineerOptoelectronics EngineerResearch and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer)Research Engineer
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
26
tasks rated for this occupation
95%
hold a degree, from a survey of 21
152k
people do this job in the US
53 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

3
  • Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects
  • Conduct research on new photonics technologies
  • Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes

Only with software built on top

8
  • Analyze system performance or operational requirements
  • Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production
  • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field
  • Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features
  • Create or maintain photonic design histories
  • Determine commercial, industrial, scientific, or other uses for electro-optical applications or devices
  • Design solar energy photonics or other materials or devices to generate energy
  • Develop photonics sensing or manufacturing technologies to improve the efficiency of manufacturing or related processes

Cannot be sped up

15
  • Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems
  • Develop or test photonic prototypes or models
  • Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components
  • Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components
  • Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems
  • Design photonics products, such as light sources, displays, or photovoltaics, to achieve increased energy efficiency
  • Train operators, engineers, or other personnel
  • Analyze, fabricate, or test fiber-optic links
  • Design gas lasers, solid state lasers, infrared, or other light emitting or light sensitive devices
  • Oversee or provide expertise on manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication processes
  • Design or redesign optical fibers to minimize energy loss
  • Develop laser-processed designs, such as laser-cut medical devices
  • Design or develop new crystals for photonics applications
  • Design laser machining equipment for purposes such as high-speed ablation
  • Select, purchase, set up, operate, or troubleshoot state-of-the-art laser cutting equipment
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.