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Research from Anthropic shows that hands-on careers requiring physical skill and real-world diagnostics remain far less exposed to AI automation than many white-collar professions.
Artificial intelligence is changing how work gets done in industries ranging from finance and customer service to software development. As that shift accelerates, more professionals are asking which careers will hold up best over time. New research suggests the answer may be found in an unexpected corner of the economy: the skilled trades.
A recent study from Anthropic analyzing real-world AI usage across occupations found that the roles most exposed to automation are concentrated in white-collar, information-based professions such as computer programming, data entry and financial analysis. By contrast, many occupations requiring physical skill, real-world diagnostics and on-site service remain far less exposed to AI automation.
For industries built around hands-on work - including plumbing, HVAC, electrical services and restoration - the findings reinforce what operators across the trades have long understood: while artificial intelligence can assist with planning and data analysis, it cannot replace the skilled technicians who keep homes and businesses running.
The Anthropic research introduces a new metric called “observed exposure,” which combines theoretical AI capabilities with real-world usage patterns. While many digital tasks show high exposure to automation, a significant share of occupations still have little or no measurable AI coverage.
In fact, roughly 30% of workers in the study had jobs with no observable AI exposure at all. Many of those occupations involve physical labor or real-time problem solving in unpredictable environments - the kinds of tasks that cannot easily be automated through software.
Repairing a failing HVAC system, diagnosing a plumbing leak or troubleshooting an electrical panel requires a combination of technical expertise, situational awareness and physical presence. These factors make the skilled trades structurally different from many information-based roles currently seeing higher levels of automation exposure.
At the same time, according to research outlets like the CSIS, the demand for skilled trades continues to grow. Aging housing stock, expanding suburban development and increased homeownership have created sustained demand for professional home services across the United States.
While the trades may be resistant to direct automation, that does not mean they are untouched by technological change. In fact, many service businesses are adopting new digital tools to improve operations, streamline scheduling and provide better customer experiences.
Artificial intelligence is playing more of a support role in the trades than a replacement role. Scheduling tools can help optimize routes, cut down drive time and improve response speeds, while automated call systems can handle customer inquiries and dispatch requests more efficiently. Data platforms also give franchise owners greater visibility into business performance, helping them manage teams and improve service quality.
Steve Clemente, president and chief operations officer of trade brands at Authority Brands, says this shift reflects a broader evolution happening across the home services sector.
“Artificial intelligence isn’t replacing skilled tradespeople - it’s helping business owners operate more efficiently,” Clemente said. “Technology can streamline scheduling, improve communication with customers and give owners better visibility into their businesses. But the work itself still depends on trained technicians solving real problems in real homes.”
Authority Brands, one of North America’s leading home services franchisors, supports more than 1,000 franchise owners operating across over 2,700 territories through brands including Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mister Sparky Electric, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning and DRYMedic Restoration.
Across the system, technology platforms are increasingly being used to support franchise owners as they grow their businesses and manage complex operations.
Digital platforms allow service teams to track jobs in real time, analyze performance metrics and communicate more effectively with customers. These tools help franchise owners scale their businesses while maintaining consistent service standards across markets.
At the same time, the human element remains central to the industry. While Authority Brands continues to invest in technology tools, there is an equal emphasis on training and resources that ensure technicians are prepared to perform at a high level in the field. Diagnosing mechanical failures, responding to emergency repairs, and building trust with homeowners still requires the kind of judgment and experience that can only be developed through hands-on training and real-world application.
“Technology gives operators better tools, but the foundation of the business is still the technician in the field,” Clemente said. “The trades combine technical skill, physical work and customer experience - and that combination is very difficult for automation to replicate.”
As concerns about automation grow in white-collar industries, the resilience of the trades is beginning to attract broader attention.
Anthropic’s research suggests that many of the occupations most exposed to AI are also among the most educated and highest paid professions today - raising new questions about long-term job security in those fields.
The skilled trades, meanwhile, are dealing with a different issue: not enough workers. Industry groups and labor forecasts continue to show a need for hundreds of thousands of additional technicians in the coming decade as veteran workers retire and service demand keeps growing.
For many professionals exploring career transitions or business ownership opportunities, the trades are becoming an increasingly attractive option.
“The home services industry has always been essential, but we’re seeing more people recognize the long-term stability it offers,” Clemente said. “These are businesses rooted in local communities, solving problems that homeowners will always have. Technology can make the work more efficient, but the demand for skilled technicians isn’t going away.”
If anything, the rise of artificial intelligence may reinforce the long-term importance of skilled trades rather than diminish it.
While digital technologies will continue to reshape how service businesses operate, the work itself will remain deeply human. Skilled technicians will continue to diagnose problems, install systems and maintain the infrastructure that modern life depends on.
In that sense, the future of the trades may represent a powerful example of how technology and human expertise can work together.
As automation advances across the broader economy, the industries that combine technical skill, physical work and customer service may prove to be among the most resilient of all.
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