UK dataswitch to US
Quality assurance technicians
analysing and interpreting test data to maintain product standards, assessing materials and methods and preparing reports on non-destructive testing results. If that's your week, this page is about your job.
The honest answer
AI changes the edges of this job, not the middle: adjusting products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections is work software can't reach.
What shifts is preparing analytical reports for data evaluation and decision-making: the overhead at the edges, not the middle you trained for.
Your week, as this page understands it
Quality assurance technicians perform a variety of technical inspections and testing and monitoring tasks to detect processing, manufacturing and other defects. The job title says “quality assurance technicians”. The real job is the part underneath: adjusting products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections. 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 quality assurance technicians is not one task. It is 51 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is adjusting products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections, and the ledger below shows exactly why.
Where the work sits, by task weight
- shifting to AI
- 12%
- changing shape
- 18%
- staying human
- 70%
These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.
Whole-job exposure score 24 out of 100 (20–30 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, across 51 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 quality assurance technicians 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.
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.
Shifting to AI
6 tasksTasks 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.
Analysing and interpreting test data to maintain product standards
This is reading one thing and writing another: test data in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 90 · 3115/00Source: “Analyse and interpret test data to maintain product standards.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 66 out of 100 (62–70 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: Reading test data against product standards is number-and-rule work software handles well, with a technician checking the borderline cases.
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.
Assessing materials and methods
This is reading one thing and writing another: materials in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Assess materials and methods for processing, performance, and cost-effectiveness.” (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: Comparing materials and methods on performance and cost is documented desk analysis that 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.
Controlling and monitoring progress and performance data using specific software tools
This is reading one thing and writing another: progress in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Control and monitor progress and performance data using specific software tools.” (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: Progress and performance figures already sit inside software, and tracking them and flagging changes is routine automated work.
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.
Gathering and analysing routine quality performance data to support governance activities
This is reading one thing and writing another: routine quality performance data in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Gather and analyse routine quality performance data to support governance activities.” (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: Routine quality data is collected in systems already, so analysing and reporting it is largely automatic.
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
9 tasksTasks 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.
Identifying and investigating non-conformances
The software now makes the first pass at non-conformances, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 3115/00Source: “Identify and investigate non-conformances.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 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: Investigating what went wrong combines record analysis with looking at the actual product or process.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Identifying and quantifying quality risks in the development of new or changed products or services
The software now makes the first pass at quality risks, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 3115/00Source: “Identify and quantify quality risks in the development of new or changed products or services.” (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: Weighing risk in a new product needs engineering judgement about how it will behave in production.
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.
Applying theoretical knowledge of science and technology to the required sector and job role
The software now makes the first pass at theoretical knowledge of science, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 3115/00Source: “Apply theoretical knowledge of science and technology to the required sector and job role.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (44–68 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, low 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: Applying textbook science to the job is well-documented reasoning software is good at, though the setting is a working lab.
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
36 tasksTasks 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.
Inspecting materials, products and installations to check for specification conformance
This work happens in the physical world: materials, products and installations, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3115/00Source: “Inspect materials, products, and installations to check for specification conformance.” (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: Checking materials and installations against a specification needs someone physically looking at them, whatever software does with the results.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Inspecting, diagnosing and recording defects to the applicable standard
This work happens in the physical world: defects, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3115/00Source: “Inspect, diagnose, and record defects to the applicable standard.” (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: Finding and recording defects means physically inspecting the item, so software helps mainly with the record and the standard.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Adjusting products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections
This work happens in the physical world: products, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3115/00Source: “Adjust products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections.” (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: Correcting a fault means physically adjusting the product or the machine.
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.
Show the other 41 tasks
Preparing analytical reports for data evaluation and decision-making
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: analytical reports in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Prepare analytical reports for data evaluation and decision-making.” (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: Turning data into an analytical report is one of software's strongest areas.
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.
Assessing the safety and environmental impact of materials
shifting to AIThis is reading one thing and writing another: the safety in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Assess the safety and environmental impact of materials.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 66 out of 100 (62–70 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: Safety and environmental data on materials is published and structured, so an assessment can be produced reliably for checking.
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.
Developing an understanding of the consequences of failure and risks
changing shapeThe software now makes the first pass at an understanding of the consequences of failure, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Develop an understanding of the consequences of failure and risks to safety, underlining the importance of meticulous inspections.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 58 out of 100 (46–70 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, low confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Failure consequences are well documented and easy to explain, but the judgement has to sit with the person doing the checks.
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.
Interpreting or evaluating test results in accordance with applicable codes
changing shapeThe software now makes the first pass at test results, but someone has to be answerable for the result, and it cannot be the software. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 3115/00Source: “Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures.” (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; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Codes and acceptance criteria are documented so software can evaluate results, but in testing work the interpretation is normally certified.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing reports on non-destructive testing results
changing shapeThe software now makes the first pass at reports, but someone has to be answerable for the result, and it cannot be the software. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results.” (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; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Writing up results is straightforward, though a qualified inspector normally has to stand behind the report.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Selecting equipment for non-destructive testing of products or materials
changing shapeThe software now makes the first pass at equipment, but someone has to be answerable for the result, and it cannot be the software. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Select equipment for non-destructive testing of products or materials.” (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; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Matching a testing method to a material is set out in standards, though certification rules keep a qualified person choosing.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Recording non-destructive testing methods, processes or results
changing shapeThe software now makes the first pass at non-destructive testing methods, processes or results, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Record non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 49 out of 100 (42–56 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: Logging methods and results is standard record-keeping, but the observations being recorded come from the person at the test.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Recommending compliance procedures
changing shapeThe software now makes the first pass at compliance procedures, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 60 · 3115/00Source: “Recommend compliance procedures to contractors, craft workers, engineers, or property owners.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 42 out of 100 (35–49 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: Compliance rules are written down and drafting the advice is routine, though contractors and owners expect a person to deliver it.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Logging inspection data, weights, temperatures, grades and moisture content
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: inspection data, weights, temperatures, grades and moisture content, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Log inspection data including weights, temperatures, grades, and moisture content.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 38 out of 100 (31–45 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: Readings must be taken at the line, but recording them is routine data entry that systems increasingly capture automatically.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · 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.
Logging quantities of items
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: quantities of items, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Log quantities of items inspected or graded.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 38 out of 100 (31–45 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: Counting happens at the line, but keeping the tally is routine record-keeping that computers do well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · 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.
Identifying hazards and assessing risks to human health on environmental health matters
staying humanThe ratings behind this row put hazards well outside what today's tools can do on their own.
importance 60 · 3115/00Source: “Identify hazards and assess risks to human health on environmental health matters.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 38 out of 100 (31–45 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.
The rating behind it: Health hazards are well documented so software can help assess them, though in this role the assessment informs decisions taken elsewhere.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Providing support and advice to production staff regarding any relevant production issues
staying humanThe value here is that a specific person handles support and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Provide support and advice to production staff regarding any relevant production issues.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 26 out of 100 (19–33 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: Production staff want a knowledgeable colleague they trust on the floor, even though much of the advice itself is written down.
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 2/4.
Supporting the achievement of quality and sustainability goals with employees and suppliers
staying humanThe value here is that a specific person handles the achievement of quality and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 60 · 3115/00Source: “Support the achievement of quality and sustainability goals with employees and suppliers.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 23 out of 100 (16–30 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: Getting employees and suppliers behind shared goals is persuasion work between people.
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 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Implementing new non-destructive testing methods
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: new non-destructive testing methods, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Implement new non-destructive testing methods, including acoustic and thermal testing, for material inspection.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 19 out of 100 (12–26 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Software can draft a new testing method, but proving it works means trialling equipment on real materials in the workplace.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Monitoring the acoustic vibrations of a structure to detect the growth of cracks or flaws through resonant testing
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: the acoustic vibrations of a structure, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Monitor the acoustic vibrations of a structure to detect the growth of cracks or flaws through resonant testing.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 19 out of 100 (12–26 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Sensors can stream vibration data for software to watch, though fitting them and judging crack growth still needs the technician.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Developing new materials for improved product performance
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: new materials, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 3115/00Source: “Develop new materials for improved product performance.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 16 out of 100 (9–23 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Developing new materials is laboratory research proven through physical testing.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · 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 2/4.
Rejecting defective products
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: defective products, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3115/00Source: “Reject defective products.” (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: mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Deciding to reject is a judgement, but pulling the item off the line still needs someone there.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Directing non-destructive testing staff
staying humanThe rules require a named, qualified person to answer for non-destructive testing staff, and that person cannot be a piece of software.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Direct non-destructive testing staff.” (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: someone qualified has to answer for it; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Directing inspectors takes standing on the shop floor and holding the certification that lets you answer for their work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Testing machines, components, materials or products to determine characteristics, performance, strength or response to stress
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: machines, components, materials or products, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3115/00Source: “Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 10 out of 100 (6–14 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: Physically testing a machine or material for strength and performance means putting it under load.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Identifying and reporting faults with equipment and machinery to relevant personnel
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: faults, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Identify and report faults with equipment and machinery to relevant personnel.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 10 out of 100 (3–17 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium 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: The report can be written automatically, but noticing the fault means being with the equipment.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Following industry health and safety and environmental working practices and regulations
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: industry health, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3115/00Source: “Follow industry health and safety and environmental working practices and regulations.” (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: Safety and environmental rules are documented, but following them is about how the technician works on site day to day.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Testing raw materials, parts or products to ensure environmental standards are met
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: raw materials, parts or products, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Test raw materials, parts, or products to ensure environmental standards are met.” (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: Testing material against environmental limits is bench and sampling work, so software contributes mainly to the calculation and reporting.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Inspecting structures to assess material or equipment needs
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: structures, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3115/00Source: “Inspect structures to assess material or equipment needs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 8 out of 100 (4–12 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Assessing what a structure needs means looking at the structure.
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 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Using CCTV and fibre optic cameras to visually inspect materials
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: CCTV, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Use CCTV and fibre optic cameras to visually inspect materials.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 7 out of 100 (0–14 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Software can help read the footage, but the camera has to be pushed into place by hand.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Implementing health and safety competencies related to the specific NDT method
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: health, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Implement health and safety competencies related to the specific NDT method, including awareness of specific risks such as working at heights and in confined spaces.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 6 out of 100 (0–13 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Safety rules are written down, but working safely at height or in a confined space is something a person does in the place itself.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Carrying out inspections in accordance with written NDT work instructions
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: inspections, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3115/00Source: “Carry out inspections in accordance with written NDT work instructions, ensuring adherence to established processes.” (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; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Someone has to stand at the component with the testing kit and work through the written method.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Conducting inspections using a specific Non-Destructive Testing
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: inspections, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3115/00Source: “Conduct inspections using a specific Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) method, understanding its capabilities and limitations.” (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; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: The testing method has to be applied to the actual part by a trained person on site.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Inspecting products to ensure they meet specifications
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: products, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3115/00Source: “Inspect products to ensure they 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: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Checking that delivered products match the specification means physically examining them.
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 3/4.
Conducting dye penetrant inspections to locate surface cracks by coating objects with fluorescent dyes
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: dye penetrant inspections, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3115/00Source: “Conduct dye penetrant inspections to locate surface cracks by coating objects with fluorescent dyes, cleaning excess penetrant, and applying developer.” (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: Coating a component with dye, cleaning it off and applying developer is hands-on work throughout.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Conducting radiographic testing using X-rays to identify internal faults
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: radiographic, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3115/00Source: “Conduct radiographic testing using X-rays to identify internal faults.” (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; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: X-ray testing means handling equipment at the part under strict radiation rules that only trained people may work under.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 3/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Examining vehicles using non-destructive testing techniques to assess their condition
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: vehicles, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Examine vehicles using non-destructive testing techniques to assess their condition.” (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; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: The vehicle has to be physically examined with testing equipment by someone standing at it.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Identifying defects in solid materials
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: defects, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Identify defects in solid materials, using ultrasonic testing techniques.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–7 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence, and it moved between repeat runs, so the range is widened.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Finding flaws means moving an ultrasonic probe across the actual material by hand.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Marking defective areas clearly for follow-up validation by supervisory staff
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: defective areas, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Mark defective areas clearly for follow-up validation by supervisory staff, ensuring effective communication of potential issues.” (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: Marking the defective area on the part itself is done by hand at the component.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Passing electricity through materials using eddy current testing
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: electricity, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3115/00Source: “Pass electricity through materials using eddy current testing.” (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: Eddy current testing needs the probe held against the material by a person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Applying magnetic particles to materials for magnetic particle testing
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: magnetic particles, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Apply magnetic particles to materials for magnetic particle testing.” (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: Applying magnetic particles to a component is done by hand at the workpiece.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Identifying defects in building materials using thermal or infrared testing
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: defects, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Identify defects in building materials using thermal or infrared testing.” (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; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: A thermal camera has to be pointed at the actual building by someone standing there.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Labelling items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: items, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Label items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.” (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: Putting a label on an item is a physical act.
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.
Mapping the presence of imperfections within objects
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: the presence of imperfections within objects, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Map the presence of imperfections within objects, using sonic measurements.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–7 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence, and it moved between repeat runs, so the range is widened.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Mapping flaws inside an object means scanning it with a hand-held probe.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 2/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Producing images of objects on film using radiographic techniques
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: images of objects, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Produce images of objects on film using radiographic techniques.” (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; someone qualified has to answer for it.
The rating behind it: Industrial radiography means positioning a radiation source and film around a real object, and only trained, classified workers may do it.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 3/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Staining surfaces with fluorescent liquid for dye testing
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: surfaces, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3115/00Source: “Stain surfaces with fluorescent liquid for dye testing.” (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: Applying fluorescent liquid to a surface is hands-on work at the part.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Positioning components for testing or operational purposes
staying humanThis work happens in the physical world: components, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 3115/00Source: “Position components for testing or operational purposes.” (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: Putting components into position for testing is straightforward physical handling.
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
- £34,000a 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
- 36,100in 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: analytical reports in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: preparing analytical reports for data evaluation and decision-making and analysing and interpreting test data to maintain product standards. What it cannot do is be there in the room, and that is still where products 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
Start with what does not change: adjusting products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections is the middle of this job, and the evidence on this page says it stays with a person.
So, given all that: 12% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 18% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 70% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 51 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.
So the thing worth your attention is not the job going away. It is the layer around it. Preparing analytical reports for data evaluation and decision-making is the part turning into software, and being the person who understands that layer is worth money.
This week: one thing
Ask the one question. Find whoever is bringing new software into your workplace (the manager, the office, whoever runs the system) and ask them what it is meant to do to analytical reports, and what it is not meant to touch. Ten minutes, this week, before anyone decides it for you.
- What you end up holding
- a straight answer about what is actually being rolled out, and when
- How long it takes
- ten minutes
If there’s nobody obvious to ask, or you’d rather not ask your manager: Put the same question to your union rep, your shift lead or the person who has been there longest, in person, over a break. Same ten minutes, same answer, and you will usually get a straighter one. Write down what they say. The note is the artifact, and it tells you whether materials, products and installations are in scope or not. Nothing to log into, no licence needed.
Over the next 90 days
Get inside the tool rollout rather than waiting for it. Over the next ninety days, ask to be in the group that tests, checks or signs off whatever new system arrives near identifying and investigating non-conformances. It is usually an unglamorous seat that nobody fights for, and it is the one that decides how the software is used on your job rather than to it.
Over the next 12 months
On this evidence I would not retrain out of this job, and I will say that plainly rather than hedge it. The task list here is dominated by work that stays with a person. What I would do with a year is get formally recognised for the layer around it (the systems, the compliance, the planning), so you are the one who understands the software instead of the one it is done to. 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 quality assurance technicians (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was routine inspectors and testers: only about 20% of its durable work is work you already do. And on the numbers you do not need one. This job scores 24/100 here, with only 12% of the task list in the top band, and “adjust products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections” is not work that hands over cleanly. None of them beats deepening what you already have.
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.
Routine inspectors and testers
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “adjust products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 20% 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 20% of the durable work in that job is work you do today, and the rest you would be learning while the bills carried on.
Weighers, graders and sorters
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already inspect materials, products, and installations to check for specification conformance, and their equivalent is to weigh or measure materials or products to ensure specification conformance. Across both published task lists that is about 5% of the durable work in that job.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 5% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step. And it is a narrow door: about 7,800 of those jobs against 36,100 of yours (ONS via Nomis), 22% as many seats.
Quality assurance and regulatory professionals
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour on the work AI is not taking: you already inspect materials, products, and installations to check for specification conformance, and their equivalent is to weigh or measure materials or products to ensure specification conformance. Across both published task lists that is about 4% of the durable work in that job.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 4% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step.
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: 12% of its task weight, across 51 scored tasks. Every row behind it is printed above with the source. Check ours; ignore theirs.
The headlines about your trade disappearing
They are usually about the technology, not the timetable. Changes to work like adjusting products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections arrive through rules, insurance and money, slowly and visibly. This page tracks the task evidence and will move when it moves.
Retraining out of a job that is holding up
On this evidence I would not spend money leaving. Spend it on the layer around the job instead: the tools, the paperwork, the planning. That is where the change actually is.
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 Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians 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:
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
- Hydrologic Technicians
- Nuclear Technicians
- Forensic Science Technicians
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- Traffic Technicians
In US official statistics this job is counted as Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Calibration Technologists and Technicians, Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, Hydrologic Technicians, Nuclear Technicians, Forensic Science Technicians, Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other, First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers, Fire Inspectors and Investigators, Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists and Traffic Technicians. 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:
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
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:
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
In Scotland:
My World of Work (Skills Development Scotland)
In Scotland it's My World of Work, from Skills Development Scotland.
Free, publicly funded
In 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 quality assurance technicians, 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 12% of the work on this page is already inside what they can do.
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 quality assurance technicians. 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 quality assurance technicians launches. Nothing else.
That did not look like an email address, so nothing was saved. Have another go below.
We could not save that. The fault is ours, not yours, and your address was not stored. Please try again later.
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 Quality assurance technicians?
- Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 51 official task statements scored for Quality assurance technicians (United Kingdom, SOC 3115), 12% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 24 out of 100 (range 20–30, band: low). 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 “Quality assurance technicians” can AI already do?
- The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Prepare analytical reports for data evaluation and decision-making” (93/100, very high); “Assess materials and methods for processing, performance, and cost-effectiveness” (75/100, high); “Control and monitor progress and performance data using specific software tools” (75/100, 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 “Quality assurance technicians” stay human?
- About 70% 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: “Position components for testing or operational purposes” (0/100, minimal); “Stain surfaces with fluorescent liquid for dye testing” (0/100, minimal); “Produce images of objects on film using radiographic techniques” (0/100, 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 “Quality assurance technicians” do about AI?
- Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 12% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 70% 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 Quality assurance technicians 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 51 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.
- 2 tasks scored differently between repeat runs, so their range on this page is wider. We would rather show the wobble than hide it.
- 2 rows are marked low confidence, so treat them as a ballpark rather than a fine measurement.
- The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
- 19 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.
Using these figures?
Cite this
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}
}Data as of release 2026-q4.1, published . 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.