ISCO-08 7212
Welders and flamecutters
9.9%
ADI · 361st of 433 · 95% interval 3.1–17.8
An AI agent can at least partly carry out 9.9% of the task time of welders and flamecutters, and finish 0.0% alone. Most of the rest requires physical presence.
ADI · partial or full9.9%
361st of 433 · interval 3.1–17.8
ADI3 · full delegation0.0%
201st of 433 · interval 0.0–0.0
ADIs · share of time15.3%
353rd of 433 · interval 10.9–20.1
Evidence59
task statements rated by two models and weighted by importance and frequency. World employment: 9.0 million.
Task weight by level
How the tasks rate
L0No meaningful role · 71.0%L1Augmentation · 19.2%L2Partial delegation · 9.9%L3Full delegation · 0.0%
Barriers
What stops the agent
Share of task weight flagged by each barrier; a task can carry several.
59 task statements, heaviest first
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Sonnet · Haiku | Barriers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 2.4% | L0 | L0L1 | 6% | 22 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2.0% | L2 | L2L2 | 65% | 15 min | Access to systems |
| Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2.0% | L0 | L0L2 | 15% | 52 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 2.0% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 52 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Check grooves, angles, or gap allowances, using micrometers, calipers, and precision measuring instruments.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · supplemental task | 2.0% | L0 | L0L1 | 15% | 10 min | Physical presence, Accountability |
| Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2.0% | L1 | L1L2 | 25% | 22 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 2.0% | L0 | L0L0 | 5% | 15 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.9% | L0 | L0L1 | 6% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability |
| Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.9% | L2 | L2L2 | 62% | 1.0 h | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.9% | L0 | L0L0 | 3% | 15 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Record operational information on specified production reports.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.9% | L1 | L1L2 | 42% | 15 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.9% | L0 | L0L2 | 16% | 8 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Prepare all material surfaces to be welded, ensuring that there is no loose or thick scale, slag, rust, moisture, grease, or other foreign matter.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.9% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 18 min | Physical presence |
| Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.9% | L1 | L1L1 | 15% | 22 min | Physical presence |
| Melt and apply solder along adjoining edges of workpieces to solder joints, using soldering irons, gas torches, or electric-ultrasonic equipment.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.9% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 20 min | Physical presence, Accountability |
Show the other 44 tasks
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Sonnet · Haiku | Barriers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Align and clamp workpieces together, using rules, squares, or hand tools, or position items in fixtures, jigs, or vises.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.9% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 18 min | Physical presence |
| Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.9% | L0 | L0L1 | 10% | 10 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.9% | L1 | L1L2 | 20% | 11 min | Physical presence |
| Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.9% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 25 min | Physical presence |
| Position and secure workpieces, using hoists, cranes, wire, and banding machines or hand tools.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.8% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 22 min | Physical presence, Accountability |
| Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · supplemental task | 1.8% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 8 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.8% | L0 | L0L1 | 8% | 18 min | Physical presence |
| Ignite torches or start power supplies and strike arcs by touching electrodes to metals being welded, completing electrical circuits.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · supplemental task | 1.8% | L0 | L0L0 | 1% | 2 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Monitor the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.8% | L0 | L0L1 | 9% | 30 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.8% | L1 | L1L2 | 50% | 10 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.8% | L1 | L1L1 | 15% | 10 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.8% | L0 | L0L1 | 16% | 12 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Chip or grind off excess weld, slag, or spatter, using hand scrapers or power chippers, portable grinders, or arc-cutting equipment.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.8% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 25 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · supplemental task | 1.8% | L0 | L0L1 | 9% | 25 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.8% | L0 | L0L0 | 5% | 38 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Grind, cut, buff, or bend edges of workpieces to be joined to ensure snug fit, using power grinders and hand tools.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.7% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 20 min | Physical presence |
| Melt and apply solder to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products, using soldering equipment.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · supplemental task | 1.7% | L0 | L0L1 | 4% | 28 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing, and make necessary adjustments to equipment.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.7% | L1 | L1L1 | 15% | 35 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · supplemental task | 1.7% | L0 | L0L2 | 18% | 1.4 h | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · supplemental task | 1.7% | L2 | L2L2 | 65% | 32 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.7% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 2 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.7% | L1 | L1L2 | 28% | 22 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · supplemental task | 1.7% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 2 min | Physical presence |
| Guide and direct flames or electrodes on or across workpieces to straighten, bend, melt, or build up metal.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · supplemental task | 1.6% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 40 min | Physical presence, Accountability |
| Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.6% | L0 | L0L0 | 6% | 15 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.6% | L0 | L0L1 | 6% | 30 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Weld separately or in combination, using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.6% | L0 | L0L1 | 6% | 1.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability |
| Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.6% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 22 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Connect and turn regulator valves to activate and adjust gas flow and pressure so that desired flames are obtained.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.6% | L0 | L0L0 | 1% | 4 min | Physical presence |
| Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · supplemental task | 1.6% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 12 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Clean or degrease parts, using wire brushes, portable grinders, or chemical baths.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.6% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 18 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · supplemental task | 1.5% | L1 | L1L2 | 25% | 1.3 h | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Analyze engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, sketches, work orders, and material safety data sheets to plan layout, assembly, and operations.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · supplemental task | 1.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 45 min | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · supplemental task | 1.4% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 6 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Develop templates and models for welding projects, using mathematical calculations based on blueprint information.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.4% | L2 | L2L2 | 60% | 2.3 h | Accountability, Access to systems |
| Detect faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notify supervisors.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.4% | L1 | L1L2 | 22% | 15 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1.3% | L2 | L2L2 | 42% | 2.5 h | Physical presence |
| Set up and use ladders and scaffolding as necessary to complete work.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · supplemental task | 1.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 25 min | Physical presence, Accountability |
| Preheat workpieces prior to welding or bending, using torches or heating furnaces.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · supplemental task | 1.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 3% | 20 min | Physical presence, Accountability |
| Repair products by dismantling, straightening, reshaping, and reassembling parts, using cutting torches, straightening presses, and hand tools.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.2% | L0 | L0L1 | 6% | 2.0 h | Physical presence, Accountability |
| Hammer out bulges or bends in metal workpieces.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 1.2% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 25 min | Physical presence |
| Operate metal shaping, straightening, and bending machines, such as brakes and shears.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · supplemental task | 1.1% | L0 | L0L1 | 9% | 25 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · supplemental task | 1.0% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 5 min | Physical presence |
| Use fire suppression methods in industrial emergencies.Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · supplemental task | 0.9% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 15 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, 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 | Pct |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADI (this index) | 9.9% | 17 | |
| Eloundou et al. (2024), GPT exposure β | 0.087 | 17 | |
| Felten et al. (2021), AI occupational exposure | -1.1 | 15 | |
| Webb (2020), AI patent exposure | 30 | 22 | |
| Eisfeldt et al. (2026), generative AI exposure | 0.034 | 21 | |
| Anthropic Economic Index, observed use | 0 | 16 |
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 (72)
Neighbouring occupations
| Occupation | ADI | % |
|---|---|---|
| Toolmakers and related workers 7222 | 29.6 | |
| Bicycle and related repairers 7234 | 28.2 | |
| Aircraft engine mechanics and repairers 7232 | 21.4 | |
| Metal working machine tool setters and operators 7223 | 17.4 | |
| Sheet-metal workers 7213 | 14.8 | |
| Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers 7233 | 14.7 | |
| Structural-metal preparers and erectors 7214 | 10.5 | |
| Blacksmiths, hammersmiths and forging press workers 7221 | 9.1 | |
| Riggers and cable splicers 7215 | 7.9 | |
| Motor vehicle mechanics and repairers 7231 | 7.1 | |
| Metal polishers, wheel grinders and tool sharpeners 7224 | 4.1 | |
| Metal moulders and coremakers 7211 | 2.3 |
Dashed line: welders and flamecutters (9.9%).
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: Welders and flamecutters (ISCO-08 7212), https://balamlabs.org/adi/occupations/7212
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: Welders and flamecutters (ISCO-08 7212)}
}Machine-readable
The same record as static JSON, with its citation: /adi/v2026.1/isco/7212.json.