AI exposure score

Helpers--Production Workers

Helpers--Production Workers score 9 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #766 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 34 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 2 on its own and 3 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 1 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

9/ 100

Low

Rank: #766of 923 jobs
US workers: 165,700BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $39,070a year
In real AI use: 1 of 34tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 2 (6%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 3 (9%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 29 (85%)

Record information, such as the number of products tested, meter readings, or dates and times of product production.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Read gauges or charts, and record data obtained.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Measure amounts of products, lengths of extruded articles, or weights of filled containers to ensure conformance to specifications.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Pack and store materials and products.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Turn valves to regulate flow of liquids or air, to reverse machines, to start pumps, or to regulate equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Mark or tag identification on parts.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Dump materials such as prepared ingredients into machine hoppers prior to mixing.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Mix ingredients according to specified procedures or formulas.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Tie products in bundles for further processing or shipment, following prescribed procedures.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Unclamp and hoist full reels from braiding, winding, or other fabricating machines, using power hoists.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Signal coworkers to direct them to move products during the production process.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Clean and lubricate equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Prepare raw materials for processing.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Perform minor repairs to machines, such as replacing damaged or worn parts.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Change machine gears, using wrenches.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Position spouts or chutes of storage bins so that containers can be filled.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Wash work areas, machines, equipment, vehicles, or products.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Fold products and product parts during processing.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Break up defective products for reprocessing.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Thread ends of items such as thread, cloth, and lace through needles and rollers, and around take-up tubes.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Cut or break flashing from materials or products.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about helpers--production workers and AI

Will AI replace helpers--production workers?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Helpers--Production Workers score 9 out of 100 (low exposure), #766 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 5 of the job's 34 tasks, 2 of them on its own, while 29 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which helpers--production workers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Record information, such as the number of products tested, meter readings, or dates and times of product production"; "Read gauges or charts, and record data obtained".

Which helpers--production workers tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances"; "Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators"; "Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 1 of the 34 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as helpers--production workers, and what do they earn?

About 165,700 people in the US, with median pay of $39,070 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.