Executive Summary
- AI will not replace electricians – it will ‘help them work with smarter systems and open the door to even more opportunities in the future’, according to City & Guilds
- Key use cases for trades, according to a recent study, are diagnostics, admin, and design and innovation
- AI becoming more embedded in electrical infrastructure will see job roles and responsibilities change, to overseeing complex infrastructure and making sure it meets the latest standards
Will AI take jobs in the electrical sector? In short, no – but like other industries, if you’re ignoring it altogether, you may be missing out. “If anything, it’s becoming another tool on the belt,” explains a recent post from City & Guilds Electrical.
If anything, the base from which the sector is starting is low. A study from Logic4Training in August asked its users how they were adopting, perceiving, and preparing for AI. The responses included those from electricians, as well as gas engineers, plumbers, and property maintenance professionals. Only just over one in 10 respondents (11.9%) said they were familiar with AI and followed developments in the industry, with around half (47.6%) saying they were ‘somewhat familiar’ with it.
Only 4.8% of those polled said they actively used AI tools in their work, primarily in design, diagnostics, or admin tasks – but these respondents have seen success.
An example of what this looks like in practice can be seen in an article published in Electrical Engineering magazine earlier this year. The article cited the JobWay platform, developed by Shocking Energy, used by a ‘growing number’ of electrical engineering firms ‘consolidating around unified, AI-driven platforms that act as a single operational intelligence layer.’ For field service teams, in this instance, smart job creation and scheduling is where the AI is most apparent.
“Those continuing to rely on fragmented systems will face growing challenges around visibility, scalability, and efficiency,” the article warns.
In terms of where respondents in the Logic4Training study wanted AI for their work, the majority (36.6%) cited diagnostics and fault finding, ahead of admin and paperwork (19.5%) and design and innovation (14.6%) – yet this could change. “A notable number of respondents see the future of AI in trades as an ‘all aspects’ solution, expecting it to play a role in everything from compliance and materials management to innovation and problem solving,” the company noted.
This need has been recognised by various industry bodies. Last week, the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) announced that members could build practical AI skills through two new courses from the ECA Growth Hub. One session, on 8 July, focuses on an introduction to AI while the other, on 16 July, is more advanced.
From EV charging to smart buildings, those who stand still in this industry will soon fall behind. The job role will change with it. As an article from Electrical Courses explains, AI becoming more embedded in electrical systems will see human responsibility shift to overseeing complex infrastructure, making sure it meets the latest standards, and ensuring systems work smoothly and efficiency. “By embracing these changes, you position yourself at the forefront of electrical innovation,” the article notes.
“The reality is simple. Electricians aren’t being replaced. Electricians are evolving,” explained City & Guilds. “The job is becoming more technical, more advanced, and more in-demand, as smart technology grows.
“AI won’t replace electricians – it will help them work with smarter systems and open the door to even more opportunities in the future.”
