Will AI replace Computer system and equipment installers and servicers?

Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 54 official task statements scored for Computer system and equipment installers and servicers (United Kingdom, SOC 5244), 39% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 52 out of 100 (range 46–58, band: partial). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.

What should someone working in “Computer system and equipment installers and servicers” do about AI?

Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 39% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 34% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.

How is the AI exposure score for Computer system and equipment installers and servicers calculated?

Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 54 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

UK dataswitch to US

Computer system and equipment installers and servicers

monitoring computer system operations to detect malfunctions and ensure reliability, analysing error trends aimed at reducing or minimising downtime and organising and conducting regular tests to improve current systems and applications. If that's your week, this page is about your job.

The honest answer

This job is splitting in two: monitoring computer system operations to detect malfunctions and ensure reliability is work AI now does quickly and cheaply, and making necessary modifications to equipment to meet specifications is work it can't touch.

Your move: what you can actually do about this ↓

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 39%
changing shape: 28%
staying human: 34%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

Whole-job exposure score 52 out of 100 (46–58 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, across 54 scored tasks. The number is the support for the sentence above it, not a headline about anyone’s future.

How we know this

What is measured: Every published task statement for computer system and equipment installers and servicers is rated on five dimensions: can a model produce the output, does the work need a body in a room, does it need a legally accountable person, does it depend on a person being trusted in the moment, and how much data exists. A published formula turns those five ratings into the score; the model never writes the number.

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

Which half fills your week decides your exposure. Moving toward the second half is a real, doable plan.

Your week, as this page understands it

IT engineers install, maintain and repair the physical components of computer systems and equipment. The job title says “computer system”, “equipment installers” or “servicers”: officially one job, several names. The real job is the part underneath: making necessary modifications to equipment to meet specifications. That is the thing someone has to be right about.

The exposed part of this job is specific, and we won’t pretend it is coming back. But computer system and equipment installers and servicers is not one task. It is 54 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is making necessary modifications to equipment to meet specifications, and the ledger below shows exactly why.

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 39%
changing shape: 28%
staying human: 34%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

How we know this

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

Your job, task by task

These are the official task statements for this occupation, in plain English, sorted by what the evidence says is happening to each one. The official wording sits under every line so you can check the rewrite against it.

21 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.

Shifting to AI

21 tasks

Tasks today’s tools can already do most of. This is the part we will not soften: where these rows are the bulk of your week, the week changes.

Monitoring computer system operations to detect malfunctions and ensure reliability
This is reading one thing and writing another: computer system operations in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 90 · 5244/00
Source: “Monitor computer system operations to detect malfunctions and ensure reliability.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Watching systems for malfunctions is already done better by automated monitoring than by people.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Performing system back-ups to ensure data safety
This is reading one thing and writing another: system back-ups in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 5244/00
Source: “Perform system back-ups to ensure data safety.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Backups have been run on a schedule by software for years; the person just confirms they worked.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Selecting hardware and material to ensure compliance with specific product specifications and requirements
This is reading one thing and writing another: hardware in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 5244/00
Source: “Select hardware and material to ensure compliance with specific product specifications and requirements.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Matching hardware to a written specification is documented desk work with abundant published product information.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Assessing information on reporting formats
This is reading one thing and writing another: information in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 5244/00
Source: “Assess information on reporting formats, costs, and security needs to determine hardware configuration.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Working out a hardware configuration from stated requirements is documented technical analysis tools handle well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Changing shape

15 tasks

Tasks where the machine takes the producing and a person keeps the checking, the deciding, or the answering-for-it. For most jobs this is the biggest group, and it is where "transformation, not termination" is literally visible.

Upgrading systems to improve performance and security
The software now makes the first pass at systems, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 90 · 5244/00
Source: “Upgrade systems to improve performance and security.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Patching and tuning systems is largely scripted work, though some upgrades still need hardware access.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Diagnosing faults in computer systems to ensure operational efficiency
The software now makes the first pass at faults, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 90 · 5244/00
Source: “Diagnose faults in computer systems to ensure operational efficiency.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Fault diagnosis works largely from logs and error messages, which software reads and interprets quickly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Analysing information to recommend and plan computer and peripheral equipment layout modifications
The software now makes the first pass at information, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 5244/00
Source: “Analyse information to recommend and plan computer and peripheral equipment layout modifications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Planning equipment layout is desk analysis tools do well, though the room itself has to be seen.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Staying human

18 tasks

Tasks that stay with a person, because they happen in the physical world, because the rules need someone accountable, or because the value is that a specific person does them.

Testing systems to detect and locate malfunctions
This work happens in the physical world: systems, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 90 · 5244/00
Source: “Test systems to detect and locate malfunctions.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Logs and diagnostics let software narrow a fault down well, but confirming and reaching it usually needs someone at the machine.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Fixing faults in computer systems to ensure operational efficiency
This work happens in the physical world: faults, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 90 · 5244/00
Source: “Fix faults in computer systems to ensure operational efficiency.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 24 out of 100 (17–31 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Some fixes are configuration changes software can make, but plenty need hands on the hardware.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Conducting on-site maintenance of computer systems to ensure operational efficiency
This work happens in the physical world: on-site maintenance of computer systems, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 90 · 5244/00
Source: “Conduct on-site maintenance of computer systems to ensure operational efficiency.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 9 out of 100 (5–13 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: On-site maintenance means physically working on the machines in the building.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.

Show the other 44 tasks

Maintaining documentation of key databases and linked applications
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: documentation of key databases in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 5244/00
Source: “Maintain documentation of key databases and linked applications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Keeping database and application documentation current is writing from system information, which software does reliably.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Logging and prioritising faults and queries
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: faults in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Log and prioritise faults and queries.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Logging and prioritising tickets is rule-based routing that software already does at scale.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Identifying and developing functionality changes for software applications
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: functionality changes in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Identify and develop functionality changes for software applications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Writing and changing application code is one of the areas where software is now strongest.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Communicating messages regarding systems issues to users promptly
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: messages regarding systems issues in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Communicate messages regarding systems issues to users promptly.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (75–83 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Status updates about system issues are short, templated messages software generates instantly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Testing new applications for functionality and performance
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: new applications in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 5244/00
Source: “Test new applications for functionality and performance.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Functional and performance testing is well-documented, largely scripted work software increasingly does itself.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Analysing error trends aimed at reducing or minimising downtime
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: error trends in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 5244/00
Source: “Analyse error trends aimed at reducing or minimising downtime.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Spotting patterns in error and downtime data is number-crunching software does quickly and well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Organising and conducting regular tests to improve current systems and applications
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: regular tests in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 5244/00
Source: “Organise and conduct regular tests to improve current systems and applications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Regular testing is heavily automated already, with people reviewing the results.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Storing, retrieving and manipulating data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: data in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 5244/00
Source: “Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Pulling and reshaping data to answer questions about a system suits software, though deciding what to examine needs judgement.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Documenting systems to enable ongoing support
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: systems in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Document systems to enable ongoing support by others.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: System documentation is written from configurations and code, which software reads and describes well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Specifying power supply requirements and configuration
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: power supply requirements in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Specify power supply requirements and configuration.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Working out power requirements from equipment specifications is documented technical calculation these tools handle well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Writing detailed functional specifications to document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: detailed functional specifications in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Write detailed functional specifications to document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Functional specifications are structured technical documents drawn from design information, well suited to automated drafting.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Maintaining technical standards for projects and clients
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: technical standards in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Maintain technical standards for projects and clients, including up-to-date gaming platform requirements.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Tracking and documenting platform standards is reference work software keeps up to date well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Overseeing backup systems for data protection
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: backup systems in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Oversee backup systems for data protection.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Backup systems largely run and report on themselves already.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Reviewing code, documentation and testing methodologies to uphold technical practices
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: code, documentation and testing methodologies in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Review code, documentation, and testing methodologies to uphold technical practices.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 70 out of 100 (63–77 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Reviewing code and test approaches against good practice is something software now does quickly and thoroughly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Assessing the cost of new IT systems to meet security regulations
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: the cost of new IT systems in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Assess the cost of new IT systems to meet security regulations.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 66 out of 100 (59–73 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Costing systems against security requirements is documented analysis using published prices and standards.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Deploying new software applications
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: new software applications in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 5244/00
Source: “Deploy new software applications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (57–71 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Software deployment is scripted, repeatable work that automation already handles well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing requirements documentation for use by software developers
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: requirements documentation in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Prepare requirements documentation for use by software developers.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (57–71 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Requirements documents are structured writing software drafts well once the needs are gathered.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Updating technical knowledge and skills through courses
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at technical knowledge, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Update technical knowledge and skills through courses, manuals, and new applications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 58 out of 100 (51–65 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Keeping your own technical knowledge current is the individual's own effort.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Designing libraries, engines and tools targeting specific hardware architectures, applying high-level development approaches
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at libraries, engines and tools targeting specific hardware architectures, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Design libraries, engines, and tools targeting specific hardware architectures, applying high-level development approaches.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 58 out of 100 (51–65 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Low-level library and engine work is specialist programming where software assists but experts still lead.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Installing new operating systems and releases
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at new operating systems, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 5244/00
Source: “Install new operating systems and releases.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Operating system installs are largely automated images and scripts, with occasional hands-on work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Diagnosing and fixing errors in complex technical systems using automated testing systems to optimise workflows
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at errors, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 5244/00
Source: “Diagnose and fix errors in complex technical systems using automated testing systems to optimise workflows.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Automated testing and diagnosis is exactly the kind of repeatable technical work software performs well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Recommending purchase of equipment to control dust
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at purchase of equipment, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Recommending environmental control equipment uses published specifications, though the installation area must be assessed in person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Presenting proposed application solutions to users at meetings
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at proposed application solutions, but the part that matters is a person saying it and standing behind it. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 5244/00
Source: “Present proposed application solutions to users at meetings.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 53 out of 100 (46–60 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: The proposal and slides are easy to produce, but users are persuaded by a person in the room.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Liaising with software suppliers to fulfil the requirements of the organisation
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at software suppliers, but the part that matters is a person saying it and standing behind it. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Liaise with software suppliers to fulfil the requirements of the organisation.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 53 out of 100 (46–60 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Emails and requirement summaries are easy to generate, but supplier relationships are handled by people.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Monitoring, recording and responding to requests for support
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at requests, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Monitor, record and respond to requests for support.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Support queues can be triaged and answered automatically, though some requests need someone at the desk.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Updating and informing colleagues during team or progress meetings
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at colleagues during team, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Update and inform colleagues during team or progress meetings.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Preparing a progress update is straightforward writing, though someone still speaks to the team.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Evaluating the interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of the overall system by consulting with engineering staff and specifications
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at the interface, but the part that matters is a person saying it and standing behind it. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 5244/00
Source: “Evaluate the interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of the overall system by consulting with engineering staff and specifications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 40 out of 100 (33–47 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Specifications can be analysed automatically, but working out how hardware and software must fit runs through engineering discussion.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Applying change management to technology solutions development
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at change management, but the part that matters is a person saying it and standing behind it. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Apply change management to technology solutions development.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 40 out of 100 (33–47 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Change management is about carrying people with you, which tools support with materials rather than perform.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Practising continuous self-learning to keep up to date with industry trends and developments to enhance relevant skills and take responsibility for own professional development
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at continuous, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Practise continuous self-learning to keep up to date with industry trends and developments to enhance relevant skills and take responsibility for own professional development.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 40 out of 100 (33–47 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over.
The rating behind it: Keeping your own skills current is something only the individual can do.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Providing pre-sales technical assistance and product education
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles pre-sales technical assistance and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Provide pre-sales technical assistance and product education.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 39 out of 100 (32–46 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Product questions before a sale usually have documented answers, so software drafts them, with complex setups needing an expert.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Identifying organisational needs for new computer applications
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles organisational needs and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Identify organisational needs for new computer applications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 35 out of 100 (28–42 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Software can analyse usage, but finding out what an organisation really needs comes from talking to people.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Training system users in system operation
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles system users and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 80 · 5244/00
Source: “Train system users in system operation.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 30 out of 100 (23–37 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Training users works best in person, with tools producing the materials rather than the session.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Training staff on new or upgraded systems
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles staff and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Train staff on new or upgraded systems.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 30 out of 100 (23–37 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Training staff works through live sessions and questions, with tools producing the materials rather than the teaching.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Delivering courses and training sessions
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles courses and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 60 · 5244/00
Source: “Deliver courses and training sessions as needed.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 30 out of 100 (23–37 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Course material is easy to generate, but a live training session still depends on the person in the room.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Conducting hardware or software tests to ensure system functionality
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: hardware, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 5244/00
Source: “Conduct hardware or software tests to ensure system functionality.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Testing hardware and systems often means physically connecting and observing equipment, limiting what software can do alone.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Upgrading existing computer hardware, software and network systems
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: computer hardware, software and network systems, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 5244/00
Source: “Upgrade existing computer hardware, software, and network systems.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Software upgrades can be automated, but hardware and network kit must be physically changed.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Applying testing methodologies to evaluate hardware assets
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: methodologies, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Apply testing methodologies to evaluate hardware assets.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Testing hardware means plugging into and handling the equipment, which software cannot do for you.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Overseeing the operation and maintenance of storage servers
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: the operation, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 5244/00
Source: “Oversee the operation and maintenance of storage servers.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Storage administration is partly remote configuration and partly physical work in the server room.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Resolving specific technical issues encountered in project development
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: specific technical issues, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 5244/00
Source: “Resolve specific technical issues encountered in project development.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 24 out of 100 (17–31 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Technical faults in production are usually diagnosed and fixed by someone with hands on the equipment.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Supervising engineering or CAD technicians in their tasks
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles CAD technicians and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Supervise engineering or CAD technicians in their tasks.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 13 out of 100 (6–20 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Checking and guiding technicians' drawing work depends on an experienced person coaching them directly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Working closely with product designers and production engineers
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles product designers and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 70 · 5244/00
Source: “Work closely with product designers and production engineers.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 13 out of 100 (6–20 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Close collaborative work with designers and engineers happens through continuous conversation, not deliverables.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Setting up new PCs for users
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: new pcs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 90 · 5244/00
Source: “Set up new PCs for users.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 9 out of 100 (5–13 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Setting up a new PC means physically unboxing, connecting and handing it over.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Making necessary modifications to equipment to meet specifications
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: necessary modifications, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 5244/00
Source: “Make necessary modifications to equipment to meet specifications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Modifying equipment means working on the equipment.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Assembling existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: pieces of equipment, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 5244/00
Source: “Assemble existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Assembling equipment is physical work with the parts in front of you.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

What this job pays, and how many people do it

Median pay: £34,200a year, before tax, the middle of the range, so half earn more and half earn less.ashe-t14, 2025 · ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
How we know this
Source: ashe-t14
Reference period: ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)
Rounding: Shown to the nearest £100. The exact published figure is in the downloadable dataset. We do not render pounds the survey cannot support.
People doing this job: 41,000in the UK, 2026.nomis-aps · Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period)This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.

What is deliberately not here: a forecast of how many of these jobs exist in ten years. Where an official projection exists for a market we publish it with its vintage; where it does not, we leave the space empty rather than borrow the other country’s number.

Why this is shifting

The reason is boringly specific. Most of what is shifting here is reading one thing and writing another: computer system operations in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: monitoring computer system operations to detect malfunctions and ensure reliability and performing system back-ups to ensure data safety. What it cannot do is be there in the room, and that is still where necessary modifications get done. Which is why this page talks about your tasks changing, not your job ending.

Your move

Over a pint: what I’d tell you if you were my friend

Your week is splitting in two, and which half fills it is the whole question. Monitoring computer system operations to detect malfunctions and ensure reliability is going; making necessary modifications to equipment to meet specifications is not.

So, given all that: 39% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 28% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 34% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 54 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.

The occupation is an average and you are not, so the first job below is finding out where your own week actually sits.

This week: one thing

Print the task ledger above and put your own hours next to each row. Roughly, in pen, in one sitting. Then look at which group your hours actually pile up in. Twenty minutes, this week.

What you end up holding: your own week, on one page, sorted into what is shifting and what is not
How long it takes: about twenty minutes

If printing it isn’t practical: Read the rows off this page and write the same list on the back of an envelope. Same twenty minutes, same page, and it works just as well said out loud to someone who knows the job. The point is your hours next to the rows, not the paper it is on.

Over the next 90 days

Volunteer toward the durable end, visibly. Over the next ninety days put your hand up for the work in the bottom group (making necessary modifications to equipment to meet specifications) and let people see you doing it. Not a new project: the same job, with your mix deliberately tilted. The point is that when the rota or the reorganisation comes, the version of you people picture is the one doing the part that stays.

Over the next 12 months

Claim a specialism at the durable end and let the other end go. Over a year, deliberately become the person who handles making necessary modifications to equipment to meet specifications, and deliberately stop being the first choice for the rows in the top group. That trade costs something, because the exposed work is often the comfortable work. Decide it on purpose rather than by drift. Before you pay for anything, spend an hour with National Careers Service. It is free and government-funded, and it is listed below with the rest of the free routes.

The roads out of here, and why I am not sending you down them

I looked at the obvious moves out of this job, and here is what I found.

I checked the 12 nearest UK occupations to computer system and equipment installers and servicers (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was IT network professionals: only about 14% of its durable work is work you already do and it is under the same pressure this job is. Your own job splits about 39/61: that share of the list sits in the top exposure band and the rest does not. On this evidence the honest move is inside the job rather than out of it. Become the person who owns “conduct on-site maintenance of computer systems to ensure operational efficiency”, and let the exposed end go.

How that was checked: this job was compared against all 412 UK occupations in this release on their official task statements, and the 12 nearest were examined one by one. A move that turns on an industry, an employer or a qualification rather than on the work itself will not show up in a check like that. And this release carries no licence register, so anything you are weighing needs that looked up separately.

3 moves I checked and rejected

These are the obvious-looking jumps. They are here with their reasons rather than quietly dropped, because the ones that fail are worth knowing about. It is one less thing to turn over at night.

IT network professionals
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “upgrade existing computer hardware, software, and network systems”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 13% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 13% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on. I will not move you off one melting floe onto another: 51% of its own task list already scores in the top exposure band (61/100 in this release), so the same software is eating it.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
IT user support technicians
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “apply testing methodologies to evaluate hardware assets”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 11% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: You would be starting most of it from nothing: about 11% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
IT technicians
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “apply testing methodologies to evaluate hardware assets”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 9% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 9% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step. I will not move you off one melting floe onto another: 60% of its own task list already scores in the top exposure band (61/100 in this release), so the same software is eating it.
Look at that job’s page anyway →

What I’d stop worrying about

A friend tells you what not to spend fear on. This is that list.

The headline number you read somewhere
The big “X% of jobs” figures are about the whole economy, not about you. The number that describes your job is on this page: 39% of its task weight, across 54 scored tasks. Every row behind it is printed above with the source. Check ours; ignore theirs.
The whole-job doom story
Nothing on this page says this job ends. It says the mix inside it moves. Half the rows above are unchanged or changing shape, and the plan is about which half your week sits in. That is a very different problem, and a solvable one.
Panic-buying a course
Do the twenty-minute sorting exercise first. Most people who buy a course before they have done it buy the wrong one, and the free services listed below will tell you the same thing without charging for it.
The “obvious” next job everyone suggests
I checked the obvious moves and most of them did not survive. The reasons are printed with the routes above, including the pay and the gate. A move that fails on the numbers is worth knowing about so you can stop turning it over at night.

You are reading the United Kingdom figures

The United States splits this work across more than one official group, of which First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers is the closest. The pay and employment figures are not directly comparable, and we do not average them together.

Switch to the United States page →partial match

The other groups this work is counted across:

In US official statistics this job is counted as First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers, Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers, Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers, Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers, Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment, Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers and Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers. Pay is shown separately for each of those groups (medians cannot be averaged together), while the task list and the scores on this page are for this group only.

Your route through this

Where to go next, and what it costs

Free, and complete

The moves above cost nothing. These are the real services that go with them: public, government-funded, and free at the point of use. Nothing on this page is behind an email address or a payment.

In England:
National Careers Service
A free hour with a government-funded careers adviser is worth more than another evening of reading. In England that's the National Careers Service.
Free, government-funded
- Discover your skills and careers (the skills assessment)
In England:
National Careers Service - Find a course
Search what's actually running near you before you spend anything.
Free to search; individual courses vary
In England:
Free courses for jobs (Level 3 qualifications)
A free Level 3 qualification you already qualify for beats a paid course you don't need.
Free for eligible adults
In England:
Skills Bootcamps
Free, up to 16 weeks, and you get a job interview at the end. In England these are Skills Bootcamps - search what's running near you.
Free for eligible adults in England
- Skills Bootcamps - what they are and who can do them (DfE, Skills for Careers)
- Skills Bootcamps - JobHelp (DWP)
In Scotland:
My World of Work (Skills Development Scotland)
In Scotland it's My World of Work, from Skills Development Scotland.
Free, publicly funded
- Skills Development Scotland
In Wales:
Careers Wales
In Wales it's Careers Wales.
Free, Welsh Government-funded
In Northern Ireland:
Careers Service Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland it's the Careers Service on nidirect.
Free, Department for the Economy-funded

No Space for this job, but one for what is happening to it

Nothing Collab365 runs is built for computer system / equipment installers / servicers, and we are not going to point you at the nearest one and call it a fit.

There is one that is not about a job title at all. The AI Authority is about being the person who directs these tools at work rather than the person they get compared to. That is worth saying here, because 39% of the work on this page is already inside what they can do.

Try The AI Authority free →

7 days free, no card needed. Explore up to 2 Spaces before you choose a plan: you pick a plan later, not now.

The AI Authority is a general community about working with AI, not a course for computer system / equipment installers / servicers. You do not need it to act on anything here: the moves above cost nothing and stand on their own. The data on this page is the same either way.

Noted, and thank you. We’ll email you if a Space for computer system / equipment installers / servicers launches. Nothing else.

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No Space for computer system / equipment installers / servicers yet. Should there be one?

Collab365 Spaces is built by the same people as this site. We find the problems that AI and automation are creating inside one kind of work, then solve them as short courses, briefings and Blueprints. Each Space is the community too, so the research and the people doing your job are in the same place.

What a Space actually is, in full

Collab365 launches new communities where the need is real. If one for computer system / equipment installers / servicers existed, with researched problems, courses and people in the same boat, would you want in?

Your email

We use your email address for one thing: to tell you if a Space for computer system / equipment installers / servicers launches. We never sell it, never use it for unrelated marketing, and every email has a one-click unsubscribe. Our privacy policy has the full version.

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No deadline on any of this. The page will still be here, and the data is refreshed on a published schedule rather than when someone wants a headline.

Questions people ask about this job

Will AI replace Computer system and equipment installers and servicers?: Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 54 official task statements scored for Computer system and equipment installers and servicers (United Kingdom, SOC 5244), 39% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 52 out of 100 (range 46–58, band: partial). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.
Which tasks in “Computer system and equipment installers and servicers” can AI already do?: The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Monitor computer system operations to detect malfunctions and ensure reliability” (93/100, very high); “Perform system back-ups to ensure data safety” (93/100, very high); “Maintain documentation of key databases and linked applications” (93/100, very high). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.
Which tasks in “Computer system and equipment installers and servicers” stay human?: About 34% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Assemble existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs” (0/100, minimal); “Make necessary modifications to equipment to meet specifications” (0/100, minimal); “Set up new PCs for users” (9/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.
What should someone working in “Computer system and equipment installers and servicers” do about AI?: Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 39% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 34% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.
How is the AI exposure score for Computer system and equipment installers and servicers calculated?: Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 54 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

Where these numbers come from

About the data on this page

Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.
The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
21 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.

Task statements: gaisi-indexProcessing: catalogue-bridge → ssc-relatedness-weighting → task-scoring → score-aggregation
Task weights: gaisi-index (relatedness)
Scores: Rubric task_scoring_v1.0, model claude-opus-5, computed 2026-08-05.
Pay and employment: ashe-t14 (ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025))nomis-aps (Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period))

Figures on this page come from release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Every release keeps its own permanent address, so a figure you cite in March is still there, unchanged, in November.

The plain-English wording on this page is assembled directly from the task statements and the published ratings, not written by hand for this occupation. That is why it is specific, and it is also why we say so.

The routes and free resources further up are today’s, not the release’s (last reviewed 2026-08-05). A route is an offer, not a historical fact, so it moves on its own clock.

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Everything on this site is published under CC BY 4.0. Quote it, chart it, sell something built on it. Just say where it came from, and cite the dated release rather than the site, so the figure you quote stays checkable.

Plain text

Collab365 (2026). Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1 (methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0). https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Built with O*NET data (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); ONS data (Open Government Licence v3.0); GAISI task framework (arXiv:2507.22748, MIT); BLS data (public domain).

BibTeX

@misc{collab365futureproof2026q41,
  title        = {Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1},
  author       = {{Collab365}},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1},
  note         = {Release 2026-q4.1, methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0, CC BY 4.0}
}

Permalink

https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1

Data as of release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Releases never change after publication; when the figures move, a new dated release is published beside this one and this one stays exactly where it is.