A Cartographer carries a 72/100 AI replacement risk (high). AI can already handle data entry and record-keeping; Resolving exceptions still needs a person. Of exposed work, ~73% is automation vs 27% augmentation. Capability clock: ~4 months. (ReplacedYet AI-Risk Index, 2026 data.)
Will AI replace a Cartographer?
AI replacement risk: 72/100 (high risk). High exposure — AI can already handle a large share of this role’s tasks.
Timeline: Happening now. Of the exposed work, roughly 73% is likely to be automated and 27% augmented. $673.9M/yr of US wages sit in highly-exposed work for this role.
AI/software exposure: 77%. Robot/physical-automation exposure: 1%.
Capability clock: AI's measured task horizon reaches this role's core complexity (~10h of human work) ~4 months — projected from METR's ~4.3-month doubling.
Pressure Index: 49/100 (medium) — blends risk, demand trend, and real-world evidence. Job postings down 8% vs 2020.
AI tools targeting this role
- Autodesk Fusion — generative design and simulation
- Microsoft Copilot — documentation and data analysis
Layoff signal: low — AI accelerates design and analysis, but applied judgment and physical validation keep demand stable.
Tasks at risk
- Data entry and record-keeping — OCR + LLMs capture and structure documents end-to-end.
- Form processing and validation — Rule and model-based checks run without a person.
- Routing and filing information — Software moves and files records automatically.
Tasks that still need a human
- Resolving exceptions — Messy, ambiguous cases still escalate to a person.
- Coordinating with people — Chasing missing info and coordinating stays human.
Skills that protect you
- Data quality & analytics — Govern and analyze data instead of just entering it.
- Automation / RPA tooling — Operate the systems that replace manual work.
- Process ownership — Own the workflow, not just a step in it.
Safer adjacent careers
Stationary Engineer (27%) · Nuclear Engineer (28%) · Robotics Engineer (28%) · Observability Engineer (28%)
Related jobs
Mechanical Drafter (71%) · Civil Engineering Technician (69%) · Civil Drafter (68%) · Industrial Designer (45%)
Frequently asked questions
- Will AI replace Cartographers?
- A Cartographer carries a 72/100 AI replacement risk (high). AI can already handle data entry and record-keeping; Resolving exceptions still needs a person. Of exposed work, ~73% is automation vs 27% augmentation. Capability clock: ~4 months. (ReplacedYet AI-Risk Index, 2026 data.)
- Is a Cartographer job safe from AI?
- Only partly. A Cartographer scores 72/100 (high risk). AI can already handle a meaningful share of the tasks, so the safest path is shifting toward the judgment, relationship, and oversight parts of the role.
- When will AI be able to do a Cartographer's job?
- Based on AI's measured task-completion horizon (METR, doubling ~every 4.3 months), AI reaches this role's core complexity ~4 months. That projects the capability — actual adoption usually lags it.
- How accurate is the Cartographer AI-risk score?
- It's a transparent, computed estimate — directionally useful, not a guarantee. It blends six labor and AI-exposure signals (O*NET, BLS, Eloundou task exposure, AIOE, the Anthropic Economic Index, and physical-automation data). See the methodology page for the full formula.
Category: Design & Engineering · Methodology · Download the dataset
ReplacedYet AI-Risk Index. Last updated 2026-06-27. AI-estimated and directionally useful, not a guarantee.