Will AI take my job

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Will AI replace Sailors and Marine Oilers?

AI reaches little of this job’s work.

1/100

Low exposure

More exposed to AI than 4% of US workers.

AI already used in
0% of the work
As AI tools mature: up to
2% of the work

What the job involves

Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate, or pilot. Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment. Must hold government-issued certification and tankerman certification when working aboard liquid-carrying vessels. Includes able seamen and ordinary seamen.

Where AI reaches the work

The job’s main tasks, heaviest first, by how far AI reaches them.

Within reach(1)

  • Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.

Out of reach(23)

  • Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
  • Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
  • Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
  • Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
  • Stand watch in ships' bows or bridge wings to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids, such as buoys or lighthouses.

and 18 more

Also called

Able Seaman · Deckhand · Oiler · Tankerman · AB Seaman (Able Bodied Seaman) · AB Seaman · Merchant Marine · Deck Hand

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What these numbers mean

The score is the share of this job’s work, weighted by how important and frequent each task is, that AI could do in half the time: tasks an AI model could do alone count in full, tasks that need software built on AI count half.

“AI already used” is the share of the work in tasks where people are recorded using AI today. “As AI tools mature” counts every task AI could halve, with or without extra software.

The percentile compares the score with every job’s, weighted by how many people in the US do each one. Exposure means AI could change how the work is done, not that the job goes away. These are estimates for the typical job, not predictions.

Sources

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