60/100
HighHow much of this occupation’s work can be materially affected by current AI systems.
50/100
ModerateHow likely exposure is to translate into reduced human demand.
Includes provisional estimates for AI adoption pressure and labour-market resilience. How this is measured
Confidence reflects task coverage, mapping and capability-evidence quality, and how much of the score rests on provisional inputs.
Task-level evidence
What is driving the score?
Occupation scores are built from the task mix—not a single prediction about a job title.
TaskImportanceAI impactExposure
Distribute or regulate the flow of power between entities, such as generating stations, substations, distribution lines, or users, keeping track of the status of circuits or connections.High68
Coordinate with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes.High63
Direct personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators.High62
Manipulate controls to adjust or activate power distribution equipment or machines.High63
Implement energy schedules, including real-time transmission reservations or schedules.High66
Prepare switching orders that will isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to drawings of power systems.High67
Calculate load estimates or equipment requirements to determine required control settings.High66
Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas.High68
Monitor and record switchboard or control board readings to ensure that electrical or steam distribution equipment is operating properly.High53
Control, monitor, or operate equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers.High46
Track conditions that could affect power needs, such as changes in the weather, and adjust equipment to meet any anticipated changes.High65
Inspect equipment to ensure that specifications are met or to detect any defects.High31
Where AI can do more
Routine, digitized, and highly repeatable tasks face the greatest pressure.
- Distribute or regulate the flow of power between entities, such as generating stations, substations, distribution lines, or users, keeping track of the status of circuits or connections.68
- Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas.68
- Prepare switching orders that will isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to drawings of power systems.67
- Implement energy schedules, including real-time transmission reservations or schedules.66
Where people still matter
These tasks score lowest on automation feasibility—physical presence, judgement, accountability and real-world variability all resist end-to-end automation.
- Inspect equipment to ensure that specifications are met or to detect any defects.01
- Distribute or regulate the flow of power between entities, such as generating stations, substations, distribution lines, or users, keeping track of the status of circuits or connections.02
- Coordinate with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes.03
- Direct personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators.04
- Manipulate controls to adjust or activate power distribution equipment or machines.05
Where else this work leads
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one. Relatedness reflects shared work, not a claim that these roles are safer.
Power Plant Operators
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Related work
Compare these careers →Beyond AI capability
Adoption and labour-market outlook
Structural factors are kept separate from raw capability so you can see what actually resists automation. Adoption pressure and labour-market resilience are still provisional models—25% of this occupation’s replacement-risk weight rests on them.
Methodology & sources
O*NET 30.3 occupational data interpreted through the JobsVsAI capability, automation and structural-constraint models.
Confidence84/100
CalculatedAug 21, 2026
Read methodology →