Will AI replace Telecommunications Engineering Specialists?

Nothing in this data answers that. It measures whether an AI could halve the time a task takes, not whether an employer keeps the role. 19 per cent of the tasks listed for this occupation cannot be sped up at all.

Which parts of a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist job can AI already do?

6 of the 26 tasks listed for this occupation were rated as ones a chat window could finish in half the time.

How exposed to AI is a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist?

Of the 26 tasks O*NET lists for telecommunications engineering specialists, 6 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 5 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

Communications EngineerEngineerInfrastructure EngineerNetwork EngineerRegistered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD)Telecommunication Design Analyst (Telecom Design Analyst)Telecommunication Design Engineer (Telecom Design Engineer)Telecommunication Engineer (Telecom Engineer)Telecommunication Systems Designer (Telecom Systems Designer)Telecommunications Consultant (Telecom Consultant)

23%

58%

19%

Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up

26: tasks rated for this occupation
43%: hold a degree, from a survey of 21
169k: people do this job in the US
34 of 36: least protected in computing and maths

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

Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity
Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services
Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use
Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools
Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions
Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations

Only with software built on top

Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases
Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors
Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences
Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications
Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems
Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures
Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment
Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation
Order or maintain inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment (CPE), facilities, access networks, or backbone networks
Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems
Prepare system activity and performance reports
Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data
Manage user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration
Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, or compatibility with existing systems
Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity

Cannot be sped up

Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways
Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems
Instruct in use of voice, video, and data communications systems
Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices
Supervise maintenance of telecommunications 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.