Job Check
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.
10 main tasks · most important first
Your main tasks and AI
Importance- 01Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes.AI could speed this up a lot
- 02Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates.AI could speed this up, with extra tools
- 03Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications.AI could speed this up a lot
- 04Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media, such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks.AI could speed this up a lot
- 05Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures.AI could speed this up a lot
- 06Enter computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs that transfer data to other media.AI could speed this up a lot
- 07Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved.People already use AI for this at work
- 08Modify existing programs to enhance efficiency.People already use AI for this at work
- 09Enter coordinates of hole locations into program memories by depressing pedals or buttons of programmers.AI could speed this up a lot
- 10Sort shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup time.AI could speed this up a lot
Tasks from O*NET® 31.0 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0, changed by us), most important first. “Already use” comes from Anthropic’s data on real work chats with Claude; “could speed up” from task ratings made with GPT-4 in 2023.
Four studies, side by side
None is a forecast of job loss12%of this job’s work time goes to tasks that people already do with Claude at work, counting tasks where AI only helps as half (2026).Anthropic, 2026
80%of this job’s tasks an AI model could do in half the time, counting tasks that need extra tools as half (rated in 2023).Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, 2023
Above 99% of jobsin how often and how well AI helped with this job’s work in Microsoft Copilot chats (2024 data).Microsoft Research (Tomlinson et al.), 2025
Above 31% of jobsin how much of this job’s physical work robots have been shown to do, from factories to homes (2026).Anthropic, 2026
Your human edge
AI touches every main task of this job in some way. Your edge is judgment: knowing when AI’s work is right, and checking it before it counts.