Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers

Install, repair, or adjust audio or television receivers, stereo systems, camcorders, video systems, or other electronic entertainment equipment in homes or other venues. May perform routine maintenance.

The automation risk for the occupation "Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers" is estimated at 42.6%, which is close to its base risk of 43.2%. This reflects a moderate likelihood that significant portions of the work could be automated in the near to medium term. Much of the role involves tasks that are repetitive or rule-based, making them susceptible to being handled by machines or software. For instance, the top three most automatable tasks are "install, service, and repair electronic equipment or instruments such as televisions, radios, and videocassette recorders;" "calibrate and test equipment, and locate circuit and component faults, using hand and power tools and measuring and testing instruments such as resistance meters and oscilloscopes;" and "confer with customers to determine the nature of problems or to explain repairs." These activities often follow standard procedures that can be replicated by automation systems or AI-powered diagnostic tools. Despite the moderate automation risk, certain aspects of this occupation show greater resistance to automation. The top three most resistant tasks include "compute cost estimates for labor and materials," which requires individualized judgment and cost assessment, "disassemble entertainment equipment and repair or replace loose, worn, or defective components and wiring, using hand tools and soldering irons," which involves complex manual manipulation and nuanced visual assessment, and "keep records of work orders and test and maintenance reports," a task that, while administrative, often requires context-specific human input and oversight. These functions are less amenable to full automation because they demand context sensitivity, adaptability, and fine motor skills that current technology cannot easily replicate. A key factor contributing to the persistence of human labor in this field is the reliance on bottleneck skills such as originality, although the levels required are quite low (Originality at 2.8% and 2.9%). This suggests that while some creative problem-solving and adaptation are necessary, the majority of tasks do not demand high levels of innovative thinking. Nonetheless, any degree of required originality—such as diagnosing atypical equipment failures or finding bespoke solutions for customer needs—poses a significant hurdle for automation. Therefore, while a large portion of routine tasks may be automated, the continued need for human intervention in complex repair, nuanced customer service, and context-dependent judgment helps keep the overall automation risk moderate rather than high.