“AI won’t replace your job. Someone using AI will.”
Really?
We’ve all heard it. It’s become one of the most repeated statements about artificial intelligence and the future of work.
But how true is it? Averity has transformed much of its back end processing and operations to automation and AI enablement. Trust me, it’s awesome! But…
We’ve become so focused on the people building the future of AI that we may be overlooking the people building everything else.
What about the millions of people building aircraft, manufacturing semiconductors, machining precision components, maintaining infrastructure, and operating industrial facilities?
Are they all about to lose their jobs to someone who knows how to prompt ChatGPT?
Or have we allowed a relatively narrow segment of the workforce to define the future of employment for everybody else?
What Percentage of American Workers Actually Use AI?
According to Gallup’s workplace AI research, as of August 2026, only 16% of American employees use AI daily at work. About 53% use it at least a few times a year.
That means nearly half aren’t using it at all.
Now consider another number.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 25.5 million Americans work in production, construction, maintenance, and engineering occupations. That’s nearly five times the number working in computer and mathematical occupations.
That doesn’t mean those jobs are immune to AI. Far from it.
But it does raise a question.
Are we talking about the future of the entire workforce, or just the part of it that spends most of its day in front of a computer?
AI Is Changing Jobs. But Not Every Job Is Changing the Same Way.
I’m not arguing that AI isn’t transformative. It absolutely is. At Averity we use it operationally all day long.
Aerospace, defense, semiconductor manufacturing, and hardware engineering are already using AI for everything from predictive maintenance and quality control to engineering simulations and production optimization.
But there’s a big difference between AI being used somewhere in your industry and AI becoming the defining skill required to do your job.
A CNC machinist still needs to understand machining. An aerospace engineer still needs to understand materials, tolerances, and safety. A manufacturing leader still needs to know how to run an operation.
AI can help them do those jobs better.
It doesn’t automatically give somebody else the knowledge and experience to replace them.
Better Tools Don’t Automatically Make Better Workers
Give a terrible golfer a $3,000 set of clubs, and they’re still going to slice the ball into the woods.
Give those same clubs to a scratch golfer, and now you’ve got something.
AI is no different.
They can produce more work. Faster. That doesn’t mean the work is any good.
AI can help someone write code, but can they recognize when the code is wrong? It can help design a component, but does the person understand the engineering tolerances, materials, or consequences if that component fails?
Better tools amplify capability. They don’t automatically create it.
Handing someone the keys to a Ferrari doesn’t make them a race car driver.
Skills Still Win
Perhaps we should spend less time telling everybody they’re going to be replaced and more time understanding which jobs are actually changing, how they’re changing, and which skills companies genuinely need.
Because there’s a difference between a job being exposed to AI, someone actually using AI, and AI fundamentally changing how that job gets done.
And those differences matter when companies make hiring decisions.
The people who understand their craft, solve difficult problems, and have the judgment to recognize when something isn’t right are still incredibly valuable.
AI can make those people even better.
The future of work isn’t just about who has access to AI. It’s about who has the skills to make something valuable out of it.
And the future of work is a much bigger conversation than the future of software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace my job?
It depends on the work you do. AI can automate certain tasks, change job responsibilities, and reduce the need for some positions. But using AI doesn’t automatically qualify someone to replace an experienced professional. Industry knowledge, technical skills, judgment, and execution still matter.
What jobs are least likely to be replaced by AI?
Jobs requiring hands-on expertise, complex problem-solving, and human judgment are harder to automate. These include electricians, skilled machinists, and specialized engineering roles. At Averity, a recruiting and staffing firm, we recognize that AI can enhance productivity but cannot easily replace years of technical experience and expertise.
Is AI replacing manufacturing and engineering jobs?
AI is automating some manufacturing and engineering tasks through robotics, predictive maintenance, and AI-assisted design, improving efficiency without necessarily replacing entire jobs. For companies hiring technical talent, Averity helps companies hire skilled engineers and technology professionals who combine technical expertise with the ability to adapt to emerging technologies.
How is AI changing aerospace, semiconductor, and hardware jobs?
AI is transforming aerospace, semiconductor, and hardware industries by improving defect detection, chip design, and production efficiency. However, technical expertise remains essential for accuracy, safety, and problem-solving.
Averity helps companies hire skilled engineering and technology professionals who can adapt to these advancements.
What percentage of workers actually use AI?
According to Gallup’s August 2026 workplace research, 16% of U.S. employees use AI daily, 32% use it at least a few times a week, and 53% use it at least a few times a year.
AI adoption continues to grow, but daily use is far from universal. These figures measure how frequently employees use AI, not whether their jobs are being replaced or fundamentally transformed.
Sources: Gallup — Artificial Intelligence Workplace Indicator | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Employment by Major Occupational Group
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