From manufacturing to customer service, artificial intelligence is changing the working world. Are carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work immune?
The artificial intelligence (AI) boom has created an undeniable workplace revolution. With algorithms and machine learning, AI is taking over entire industries, handling operations in manufacturing, finance, and customer service. This transformation has raised concerns about job security across sectors.
AI has even begun to encroach on white-collar professions like law, medicine, and finance. From drafting contracts to analysing medical data and optimising investment portfolios, the reach of AI is vast. Robots on factory floors are old news, but today they can tackle highly specialised tasks. So, as the technological tide rises, are skilled crafts such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work safe from automation? Or will robots eventually replace even the most hands-on professions?
The Expanding Reach of AI
To understand whether skilled trades are safe from AI, we must first examine the technology’s current state. AI is increasingly preferred in industries for its speed, accuracy, and efficiency. Self-driving vehicles are transforming logistics, while chatbots handle customer inquiries. Even creative industries such as journalism, music, and art are feeling the impact of AI-generated content.
For employers, the benefits are clear: AI works around the clock, doesn’t tire, and makes fewer mistakes, reducing costs and improving productivity. Businesses that fail to adopt AI risk falling behind in a competitive market.
Why Skilled Trades Are Resilient
Despite AI’s rapid advancements, it struggles in areas requiring physical dexterity, problem-solving, and craftsmanship. Skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work often involve unique challenges that stump AI. These roles require adaptability, on-the-job experience, and a human touch.
For instance, fixing a leaking pipe or wiring a home involves assessing individual systems and environments. A plumber might work in cramped spaces or with outdated materials, tasks that robots lack the dexterity or problem-solving ability to handle effectively.
Robots in Construction
That said, AI is making inroads in construction. Robots can already lay bricks, pour concrete, and paint with greater precision than humans. For large-scale projects, these innovations can lead to significant cost savings.
SAM (Semi-Automated Mason), for instance, can lay thousands of bricks daily. While these systems currently require human supervision, they hint at a future where robots handle repetitive tasks, leaving tradespeople to focus on creativity and oversight.
The Role of AI in Training
AI is also transforming how tradespeople are trained. Virtual reality and AI simulators enable apprentices to practice skills in controlled environments. AI tools can analyse video footage of inspections, helping plumbers or electricians identify issues that might go unnoticed.
However, over-reliance on AI in training could lead to “deskilling,” where workers lose critical thinking and hands-on problem-solving abilities.
Advancements in Robotics
As robotics advance, even dexterous tasks like surgery are within AI’s reach. In 2023, a robot performed its first autonomous surgical operation. Could similar technology wire homes or craft furniture? While it’s possible, AI still lacks the emotional intelligence and creativity that define human craftsmanship.
The Future of Work
Much like industrialisation, AI is more likely to change the nature of jobs than eliminate them entirely. Tradespeople who learn to collaborate with AI and integrate it into their work will remain valuable. As experienced workers become scarcer, their skills may command higher wages, making these professions more attractive to future generations.
Conclusion
The butcher, baker, and candlestick maker may not have to worry about immediate replacement, but they should stay vigilant. By combining their expertise with emerging technologies, tradespeople can secure their roles and elevate their professions. In the face of digital transformation, adaptability remains humanity’s greatest asset.