Welders

How AI is changing welders work

1 of 21 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 5%. 1 newer task is not in the data yet and left out.

This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.

Tasks in this job and recorded AI use

• Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques (main task) — some recorded AI use
• Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to make sure conformance with specifications (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Detect faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notify supervisors (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Prepare all material surfaces to be welded, ensuring that there is no loose or thick scale, slag, rust, moisture, grease, or other foreign matter (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Align and clamp workpieces together, using rules, squares, or hand tools, or position items in fixtures, jigs, or vises (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Connect and turn regulator valves to activate and adjust gas flow and pressure so that desired flames are obtained (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Position and secure workpieces, using hoists, cranes, wire, and banding machines or hand tools (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Melt and apply solder along adjoining edges of workpieces to solder joints, using soldering irons, gas torches, or electric-ultrasonic equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Monitor the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Grind, cut, buff, or bend edges of workpieces to be joined to make sure snug fit, using power grinders and hand tools (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Weld separately or in combination, using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Chip or grind off excess weld, slag, or spatter, using hand scrapers or power chippers, portable grinders, or arc-cutting equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Develop templates and models for welding projects, using mathematical calculations based on blueprint information (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Repair products by dismantling, straightening, reshaping, and reassembling parts, using cutting torches, straightening presses, and hand tools (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Clean or degrease parts, using wire brushes, portable grinders, or chemical baths (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Hammer out bulges or bends in metal workpieces (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Analyze engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, sketches, work orders, and material safety data sheets to plan layout, assembly, and operations (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Check grooves, angles, or gap allowances, using micrometers, calipers, and precision measuring instruments — no recorded AI use
• Melt and apply solder to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products, using soldering equipment — no recorded AI use
• Ignite torches or start power supplies and strike arcs by touching electrodes to metals being welded, completing electrical circuits — no recorded AI use
• Guide and direct flames or electrodes on or across workpieces to straighten, bend, melt, or build up metal — no recorded AI use
• Use fire suppression methods in industrial emergencies — no recorded AI use
• Preheat workpieces before welding or bending, using torches or heating furnaces — no recorded AI use
• Set up and use ladders and scaffolding as necessary to complete work — no recorded AI use
• Operate metal shaping, straightening, and bending machines — no recorded AI use

Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).

Your first steps (guidance)

1. Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
2. Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques”. Try the prompt for: “Prepare all material surfaces to be welded, ensuring that there is no loose or thick scale, slag, rust, moisture, grease, or other foreign matter”.

Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.

Questions about AI and welders

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