Surveying Technicians

Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, and electronic distance-measuring equipment.

AI: Fully automatable - Modern robotic total stations, motorized prisms, and software allow autonomous adjustment and remote operation of surveying instruments without continuous human intervention.

Collect information needed to carry out new surveys, using source maps, previous survey data, photographs, computer records, and other relevant information.

AI: Fully automatable - AI systems can aggregate and interpret source maps, past survey data, photos, and records to collect and synthesize the information needed to plan new surveys.

Prepare topographic and contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes.

AI: Fully automatable - Software and automated workflows already generate topographic and contour maps from survey and LiDAR data, incorporating site features and survey notes with minimal human drafting.

Record survey measurements and descriptive data, using notes, drawings, sketches, and inked tracings.

AI: Fully automatable - Survey instruments and mobile data-collection apps automatically log measurements and metadata, and AI can convert notes and sketches into standardized records, eliminating the need for manual inked tracings.

Compile information necessary to stake projects for construction, using engineering plans.

AI: Fully automatable - AI can parse engineering plans, compute stakeout coordinates, and compile the information required for staking projects, producing machine-control files and stake lists for field crews.

Operate and manage land-information computer systems, performing tasks such as storing data, making inquiries, and producing plots and reports.

AI: Fully automatable - Automated software and AI tools in 2025 can operate/manage land-information systems, run queries, store data, and generate plots and reports without human intervention.

Perform calculations to determine earth curvature corrections, atmospheric impacts on measurements, traverse closures and adjustments, azimuths, level runs, and placement of markers.

AI: Fully automatable - These calculations are algorithmic and can be fully automated by software/AI with established geodetic models and measurement data.

Provide assistance in the development of methods and procedures for conducting field surveys.

AI: Fully automatable - AI can effectively assist in developing methods and procedures by synthesizing best practices, standards, and simulation results to propose survey workflows.

Search for section corners, property irons, and survey points.

AI: Partial - Computer vision, GNSS, drones, and mapping tools can locate many visible markers, but variable terrain, vegetation cover, disturbed monuments, and legal/judgment calls prevent full automation.

Conduct surveys to ascertain the locations of natural features and man-made structures on the Earth's surface, underground, and underwater, using electronic distance-measuring equipment and other surveying instruments.

AI: Partial - Surface surveys are largely automatable via GNSS, LiDAR, UAVs and sonar, but comprehensive surveys across underground and complex underwater environments still need human planning, intervention, and specialist judgment.

Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.

AI: Partial - One-person pole systems and some mechanized holders reduce manual effort, but physically positioning and stabilizing rods in variable field conditions still typically require human hands or supervision.

Set out and recover stakes, marks, and other monumentation.

AI: Partial - Robotic stake drivers and machine-control systems can set stakes in controlled conditions, but variable terrain, access, and on-site decisions limit full automation of setting and recovering monumentation.

Compare survey computations with applicable standards to determine adequacy of data.

AI: Partial - AI can automatically perform and check survey computations against standards, but nuanced judgment about data adequacy and context-specific exceptions still often requires human review.

Maintain equipment and vehicles used by surveying crews.

AI: Partial - AI can handle diagnostics, scheduling, inventory, and maintenance reminders, but physical inspections and hands‑on repairs of equipment and vehicles require human technicians.

Lay out grids, and determine horizontal and vertical controls.

AI: Partial - AI can design and compute grid layouts and control coordinates, but physically establishing controls in the field and adapting to site conditions requires human crews.

Direct and supervise work of subordinate members of surveying parties.

AI: Partial - AI can assist with task assignment, monitoring, and guidance, but full leadership, on‑the‑spot decisions, and personnel management remain human responsibilities.

Run rods for benches and cross-section elevations.

AI: Not automatable - Running rods for benches and cross‑section elevations is a manual, physical task that AI cannot perform autonomously in typical 2025 field environments.

Place and hold measuring tapes when electronic distance-measuring equipment is not used.

AI: Not automatable - Placing and holding measuring tapes is a physical activity that cannot be performed by AI alone in typical field settings as of 2025.

Perform manual labor, such as cutting brush for lines, carrying stakes, rebar, and other heavy items, and stacking rods.

AI: Not automatable - Manual labor tasks like cutting brush and carrying/staging heavy items are physical and cannot be fully automated by AI in common 2025 scenarios.