Ship engineer
Supervises and coordinates the crew that runs and maintains a ship's engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment.
Will AI replace ship engineer jobs?
AI changes jobs more often than it replaces them. How much AI can help with this work: Low. More AI overlap than 4 in 100 jobs. AI touches a small part of this work. Most of the job happens with your hands, your body or in person. 0% of this job’s working time is already spent on tasks people bring to AI at work (Anthropic Economic Index). Based on Microsoft research on real AI use at work, matched to the tasks of each job in O*NET.
What AI already helps with
- Keep complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations
- Record speed and direction change orders and gauge readings in engineering logs
- Link the captain and shore staff to keep schedules and budgets
What stays human
- Monitor lifesaving and pollution equipment to follow international rules
- Monitor and test engines and equipment to find malfunctions and their causes
- Start engines and control ship speed as directed by the captain
10-year outlook · USA
Expected change in the number of these jobs by 2035: +2.7%. Typical pay: $109,530 a year. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. German figures differ, but the direction is usually similar.
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