Engineering & ArchitectureO*NET: 17-1022.01
Will AI Replace Geodetic Surveyors?
Measure large areas of the Earth's surface using satellite observations, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LIDAR), or related sources.
46out of 100
Medium Risk
AI Risk Score
46/100
Risk Level
Medium
Job Zone
4/5
Advanced
Total Tasks Analyzed
16
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.
- â–¸Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.
- â–¸Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.
- â–¸Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.
- â–¸Compute horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks, using direct leveling or other geodetic survey techniques, such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing, to establish features of the Earth's surface.
- â–¸Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Providing empathy and emotional support
- â–¸Creative problem-solving in ambiguous contexts
- â–¸Physical tasks requiring fine motor skills and dexterity
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (12)
- Analyze control or survey data to ensure adherence to project specifications or land survey standards.
- Calculate the exact horizontal and vertical position of points on the Earth's surface.
- Maintain databases of geodetic and related information, including coordinate, descriptive, or quality assurance data.
- Verify the mathematical correctness of newly collected survey data.
- Compute horizontal and vertical coordinates of control networks, using direct leveling or other geodetic survey techniques, such as triangulation, trilateration, and traversing, to establish features of the Earth's surface.
- Distribute compiled geodetic data to government agencies or the general public.
- Request additional survey data when field collection errors occur or engineering surveying specifications are not maintained.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in technology, equipment, or systems.
- Prepare progress or technical reports.
- Review existing standards, controls, or equipment used, recommending changes or upgrades as needed.
- Compute, retrace, or adjust existing surveys of features such as highway alignments, property boundaries, utilities, control and other surveys to match the ground elevation-dependent grids, geodetic grids, or property boundaries and to ensure accuracy and continuity of data used in engineering, surveying, or construction projects.
- Determine orientation of tracts of land, including position, boundaries, size, and shape, using theodolites, electronic distance-measuring equipment, satellite-based positioning equipment, land information systems, or other geodetic survey equipment.
âš¡AI-Assisted (4)
- Conduct surveys to determine exact positions, measurement of points, elevations, lines, areas, volumes, contours, or other features of land surfaces.
- Plan or direct the work of geodetic surveying staff, providing technical consultation as needed.
- Assess the quality of control data to determine the need for additional survey data for engineering, construction, or other projects.
- Provide training and interpretation in the use of methods or procedures for observing and checking controls for geodetic and plane coordinates.
Key Skills Analysis
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.12/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.75/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Science
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Systems AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Systems Evaluation
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 3.00/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Geodetic Surveyors have a medium risk of AI replacement with a score of 46/100. While some tasks can be assisted by AI, the core responsibilities require human judgment and skills.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research