ISCO-08 3151
Ships’ engineers
31.9%
ADI · 242nd of 433 · 95% interval 16.1–51.4
An AI agent can at least partly carry out 31.9% of the task time of ships’ engineers, and finish 0.0% alone. The barrier that holds most of the rest back is access to the systems the work runs on.
ADI · partial or full31.9%
242nd of 433 · interval 16.1–51.4
ADI3 · full delegation0.0%
201st of 433 · interval 0.0–0.0
ADIs · share of time30.8%
242nd of 433 · interval 24.6–37.8
Evidence85
task statements rated by two models and weighted by importance and frequency. World employment: 0.2 million.
Task weight by level
How the tasks rate
L0No meaningful role · 17.7%L1Augmentation · 50.3%L2Partial delegation · 32.0%L3Full delegation · 0.0%
Barriers
What stops the agent
Share of task weight flagged by each barrier; a task can carry several.
85 task statements, heaviest first
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Weight | Level | Sonnet · Haiku | Share | Human time | Barriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.Ship Engineers | 6.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 50% | 2.3 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.Ship Engineers | 6.2% | L1 | L1L1 | 15% | 22 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.Ship Engineers | 5.8% | L1 | L1L2 | 35% | 1.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.Ship Engineers | 5.7% | L0 | L0L1 | 8% | 3.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.Ship Engineers | 5.6% | L2 | L2L2 | 55% | 1.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.Ship Engineers | 5.4% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 1.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.Ship Engineers | 5.2% | L1 | L1L1 | 16% | 2.3 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean.Ship Engineers | 5.0% | L0 | L0L1 | 7% | 2.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction, and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.Ship Engineers | 5.0% | L1 | L1L2 | 30% | 8 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems.Ship Engineers | 4.7% | L1 | L1L1 | 15% | 2.8 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Act as a liaison between a ship's captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently.Ship Engineers | 4.3% | L2 | L2L2 | 52% | 2.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies.Ship Engineers | 4.0% | L2 | L2L2 | 55% | 1.1 h | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Operate or maintain off-loading liquid pumps or valves.Ship Engineers | 4.0% | L1 | L1L1 | 15% | 2.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.Ship Engineers | 3.5% | L0 | L0L1 | 12% | 1.3 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Supervise marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance or repair of mechanical or electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly.Ship Engineers | 3.1% | L1 | L1L2 | 25% | 1.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
Show the other 70 tasks
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Weight | Level | Sonnet · Haiku | Share | Human time | Barriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabricate engine replacement parts, such as valves, stay rods, or bolts, using metalworking machinery.Ship Engineers · supplemental task | 2.1% | L1 | L1L1 | 20% | 3.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Install engine controls, propeller shafts, or propellers.Ship Engineers | 1.7% | L0 | L0L1 | 8% | 8.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Inspect airfield conditions to ensure compliance with federal regulatory requirements.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.8% | L1 | L1L2 | 25% | 1.4 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Conduct inspections of the airport property and perimeter to maintain controlled access to airfields.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.8% | L0 | L0L1 | 12% | 1.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Implement airfield safety procedures to ensure a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft operation.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.8% | L1 | L1L2 | 28% | 2.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Manage wildlife on and around airport grounds.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.8% | L1 | L1L2 | 30% | 1.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Perform and supervise airfield management activities, including mobile airfield management functions.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.7% | L1 | L1L2 | 25% | 4.8 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Monitor the arrival, parking, refueling, loading, and departure of all aircraft.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.7% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 4.3 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Coordinate with agencies to meet aircrew requirements for billeting, messing, refueling, ground transportation, and transient aircraft maintenance.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.7% | L2 | L2L2 | 55% | 1.1 h | Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Receive, transmit, and control message traffic.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.6% | L2 | L2L2 | 55% | 12 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Use airfield landing and navigational aids and digital data terminal communications equipment to perform duties.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 25% | 45 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Coordinate communications between air traffic control and maintenance personnel.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.6% | L2 | L2L2 | 40% | 18 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Maintain air-to-ground and point-to-point radio contact with aircraft commanders.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.6% | L0 | L1L0 | 12% | 20 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Coordinate with agencies, such as air traffic control, civil engineers, or command posts, to ensure support of airfield management activities.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 35% | 52 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Assist in responding to aircraft and medical emergencies.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.6% | L1 | L1L1 | 20% | 52 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Receive and post weather information and flight plan data, such as air routes or arrival and departure times.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.6% | L2 | L2L2 | 68% | 15 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Relay departure, arrival, delay, aircraft and airfield status, and other pertinent information to upline controlling agencies.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 58% | 15 min | Access to systems |
| Provide aircrews with information and services needed for airfield management and flight planning.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 55% | 28 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Conduct departure and arrival briefings.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.5% | L1 | L1L2 | 45% | 25 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Maintain flight and event logs, air crew flying records, and flight operations records of incoming and outgoing flights.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 68% | 25 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Post visual display boards and status boards.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 45% | 20 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Procure, produce, and provide information on the safe operation of aircraft, such as flight planning publications, operations publications, charts and maps, or weather information.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 62% | 1.5 h | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Train operations staff.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 50% | 4.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Plan and coordinate airfield construction.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 48% | 22 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Collaborate with others to plan flight schedules and air crew assignments.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 58% | 2.3 h | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Initiate or conduct airport-wide coordination of snow removal on runways and taxiways.Airfield Operations Specialists | 0.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 42% | 1.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Anticipate aircraft equipment needs for air evacuation and cargo flights.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 1.1 h | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Coordinate changes to flight itineraries with appropriate Air Traffic Control (ATC) agencies.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 45% | 25 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Check military flight plans with civilian agencies.Airfield Operations Specialists · supplemental task | 0.3% | L2 | L2L2 | 50% | 30 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Enforce safety rules and regulations.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.3% | L1 | L1L2 | 25% | 45 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Confer with customers, supervisors, contractors, or other personnel to exchange information or to resolve problems.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.3% | L2 | L2L2 | 45% | 25 min | Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Resolve worker problems or collaborate with employees to assist in problem resolution.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L1 | L1L2 | 30% | 25 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Plan work assignments and equipment allocations to meet transportation, operations or production goals.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 58% | 1.3 h | Access to systems |
| Review orders, production schedules, blueprints, or shipping or receiving notices to determine work sequences and material shipping dates, types, volumes, or destinations.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 65% | 45 min | Access to systems |
| Drive vehicles or operate machines or equipment to complete work assignments or to assist workers.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 3.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Interpret transportation or tariff regulations, shipping orders, safety regulations, or company policies and procedures for workers.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 32 min | Accountability, Trust and care |
| Examine, measure, or weigh cargo or materials to determine specific handling requirements.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L1 | L1L1 | 20% | 18 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Monitor field work to ensure proper performance and use of materials.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 1.3 h | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Maintain or verify records of time, materials, expenditures, or crew activities.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 38 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Inspect or test materials, stock, vehicles, equipment, or facilities to ensure that they are safe, free of defects, and consistent with specifications.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L1 | L1L2 | 30% | 45 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Dispatch personnel and vehicles in response to telephone or radio reports of emergencies.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 48% | 8 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Compute or estimate cash, payroll, transportation, personnel, or storage requirements.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators · supplemental task | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 68% | 1.3 h | Access to systems |
| Assist workers in tasks, such as loading vehicles.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators · supplemental task | 0.2% | L0 | L0L2 | 19% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Direct workers in transportation or related services, such as pumping, moving, storing, or loading or unloading of materials.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators · supplemental task | 0.2% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 2.3 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Plan and establish schedules.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators · supplemental task | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 62% | 1.8 h | Access to systems |
| Requisition needed personnel, supplies, equipment, parts, or repair services.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 62% | 38 min | Access to systems |
| Explain and demonstrate work tasks to new workers or assign training tasks to experienced workers.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L1 | L1L2 | 28% | 1.3 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Perform or schedule repairs or preventive maintenance of vehicles or other equipment.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators · supplemental task | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 42% | 1.3 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Prepare, compile, and submit reports on work activities, operations, production, or work-related accidents.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 68% | 52 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Recommend and implement measures to improve worker motivation, equipment performance, work methods, or customer services.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 45% | 3.3 h | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Recommend or implement personnel actions, such as employee selection, evaluation, rewards, or disciplinary actions.First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 0.1% | L2 | L2L2 | 55% | 1.5 h | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Observe and evaluate workers' appearance and performance to ensure quality service and compliance with specifications.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L1 | L1L1 | 22% | 1.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Train workers in proper operational procedures and functions and explain company policies.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L1 | L1L2 | 42% | 1.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Take disciplinary action to address performance problems.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L1 | L1L2 | 38% | 1.5 h | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Resolve customer complaints regarding worker performance or services rendered.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L2 | L2L2 | 52% | 35 min | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Requisition necessary supplies, equipment, or services.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L2 | L2L2 | 62% | 38 min | Access to systems |
| Recruit and hire staff members.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L2 | L2L2 | 58% | 6.0 h | Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Recommend and implement measures to improve worker motivation, work methods, or customer services.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L1 | L1L2 | 42% | 3.5 h | Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Participate in continuing education to stay abreast of industry trends and developments.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L1 | L1L2 | 50% | 1.8 h | – |
| Compute or estimate cash, payroll, transportation, or personnel requirements.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L2 | L2L2 | 68% | 1.0 h | Access to systems |
| Meet with managers or other supervisors to stay informed of changes affecting operations.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L1 | L1L2 | 28% | 52 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Inspect work areas or operating equipment to ensure conformance to established standards in areas such as cleanliness or maintenance.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L1 | L1L1 | 15% | 35 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Inspect materials, stock, vehicles, equipment, or facilities to ensure that they are safe, free of defects, and consistent with specifications.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L1 | L1L1 | 20% | 45 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Inform workers about interests or special needs of specific groups.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 30 min | Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Explain and demonstrate work tasks to new workers or assign training tasks to experienced workers.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 1.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Enforce safety rules and regulations.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L1 | L1L2 | 30% | 1.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Direct or coordinate the activities of workers, such as flight or car attendants.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L1 | L1L2 | 30% | 4.5 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Confer with customers, supervisors, contractors, or other personnel to exchange information or to resolve problems.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L2 | L2L2 | 42% | 25 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Apply customer feedback to service improvement efforts.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L2 | L2L2 | 58% | 2.0 h | Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Analyze and record personnel or operational data and write related activity reports.First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants · supplemental task | 0.1% | L2 | L2L2 | 70% | 1.5 h | Access to systems |
Level: consensus of the two models (the lower level when they disagree). Share: part of the task’s working time an agent could take over. Human time: minutes a competent person needs for one instance, as estimated by the models.
Against other measures
Exposure is not delegation
| Measure | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| ADI (this index) | 31.9% | 44 |
| Eloundou et al. (2024), GPT exposure β | 0.233 | 40 |
| Felten et al. (2021), AI occupational exposure | -0.301 | 44 |
| Webb (2020), AI patent exposure | 22.301 | 14 |
| Eisfeldt et al. (2026), generative AI exposure | 0.234 | 61 |
| Anthropic Economic Index, observed use | 0.007 | 38 |
Earlier indices measure whether AI can touch a task; ADI measures how much of it an agent can carry out from a goal. – : the source does not cover this occupation.
Same sub-major group (31)
Neighbouring occupations
| Occupation | ADI | % |
|---|---|---|
| Process control technicians not elsewhere classified 3139 | 91.1 | |
| Draughtspersons 3118 | 82.3 | |
| Mining supervisors 3121 | 71.6 | |
| Construction supervisors 3123 | 71.6 | |
| Chemical and physical science technicians 3111 | 69.7 | |
| Electronics engineering technicians 3114 | 60.2 | |
| Civil engineering technicians 3112 | 57.6 | |
| Manufacturing supervisors 3122 | 56.5 | |
| Air traffic safety electronics technicians 3155 | 54.7 | |
| Mining and metallurgical technicians 3117 | 51.5 | |
| Physical and engineering science technicians not elsewhere classified 3119 | 51.1 | |
| Mechanical engineering technicians 3115 | 50.0 |
Dashed line: ships’ engineers (31.9%).
Cite this record
Text
Espinal Maya, Cristian, and Santiago Jiménez Londoño. 2026. ADI v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and MCP server. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918. Record: Ships’ engineers (ISCO-08 3151), https://balamlabs.org/adi/occupations/3151
BibTeX
@misc{espinal2026adidata,
title = {{ADI} v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and {MCP} server},
author = {Espinal Maya, Cristian and Jim{\'e}nez Londo{\~n}o, Santiago},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Zenodo},
version = {v2026.1},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
note = {Record: Ships’ engineers (ISCO-08 3151)}
}Machine-readable
The same record as static JSON, with its citation: /adi/v2026.1/isco/3151.json.