Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
United States · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 (figures for SOC 53-2011 occupational group)
AI exposure in published research
Figures below are reproduced from external datasets without modification. Where a dataset does not cover this occupation, the value is shown as — rather than as zero.
Data provider: OpenAI · "GPTs are GPTs"
Time basis: 2023 baselineex-ante estimate
Scored against GPT-4-generation capability.
- Human rater basis
- 22.7%
- GPT-4 rater basis
- 35.2%
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
26 rated tasks · 16 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (61.5%)
- Version:
- gh-main-0471612
- License:
- MIT License · Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Data provider: Anthropic Economic Index
Time basis: Published 2026-03-05composite index
- Observed exposure
- 0.0%
Theoretical exposure index weighted by measured Claude usage, per the original report's definition.
25 tasks · usage observed in 0 · mean 0.0%
Data: Anthropic Economic Index — labor_market_impacts, CC-BY, https://huggingface.co/datasets/Anthropic/EconomicIndex
AI Changing Work uses Anthropic Economic Index data under CC-BY; Anthropic does not endorse or sponsor this site or its analyses.
- Version:
- hf-lmi-2026-03
- License:
- CC BY 4.0
- Observation period:
- — (not applicable to this release)
- Model:
- — (not stated by the source)
- Definition source:
- https://www.anthropic.com/research/labor-market-impacts
2023 prediction vs observation-based index published 2026-03-05
One card (GPTs are GPTs) is a 2023 estimate of what AI could theoretically do; the other (Anthropic Economic Index) is built from observed usage and was published on 2026-03-05 — that is its publication date, not the period it observed. They measure different things, so the two figures cannot be added, averaged, or ranked against each other. The older figure is kept here as a baseline for comparison rather than removed.
Caution: the Anthropic figures — observed exposure and task penetration — take the Eloundou β as one of their inputs. The two sides resembling each other is therefore not evidence that the earlier prediction came true; reading it that way is circular reasoning.
The Anthropic figures are measured on Claude users, who are not the whole economy and not the whole workforce.
The mapping of O*NET tasks and occupation codes was performed by AI Changing Work. The source figures themselves were not modified.
These indices are not forecasts. Which point in time each one belongs to is stated on the badge on its card.
Task Breakdown
- Operate aircraft controls during takeoff, flight, and landing
- Monitor flight instruments and navigation systems
- Review weather conditions and file flight plans
- Communicate with air traffic control and crew
About This Occupation
If you work as an Airline Pilot, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 14/100 and overall exposure at 33%, this role faces moderate transformation concentrated in planning and monitoring tasks. The highest-impact area is reviewing weather conditions and filing flight plans at 68% automation, where AI-powered weather analysis and automated flight planning tools have significantly streamlined pre-flight operations. Autopilot systems handle most cruise-phase flying, but takeoff, landing, and emergency situations remain firmly in human hands at 18% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role, where AI enhances pilot capabilities rather than replacing them. BLS projects +4% growth through 2034, with median annual wage of $174,310. Regulatory frameworks and public trust continue to require human pilots in the cockpit, and the global pilot shortage ensures strong job security.
ISCO-08 classification
Aircraft Pilots and Related Associate Professionals
Definition
ILO original text (English)
Aircraft pilots and related associate professionals control the operation of mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment, in order to navigate aircraft for transporting passengers, mail and freight, and perform related pre-flight and in-flight tasks.
Definition & vocabulary source
Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure
License: ILO CC BY 4.0
Official occupational information
- ONET53-2011.00
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.
View original
Frequently Asked Questions
The Anthropic Economic Index puts observed exposure at 0.0%. The OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" rubric puts occupation-level β at 22.7% under human raters. Both figures are reproduced from published research without modification.
They come from two published datasets: the Anthropic Economic Index (labor_market_impacts, CC BY 4.0) and the OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric (MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI). AI Changing Work maps them onto O*NET occupation and task codes and does not calculate exposure scores of its own. AI Changing Work uses Anthropic Economic Index data under CC-BY; Anthropic does not endorse or sponsor this site or its analyses.
No. They are a diagnosis of exposure as measured at the time each source dataset was published. AI Changing Work publishes no prediction of future automation or job displacement for this occupation.
Recent Changes Affecting This Occupation
Mar 2026: New evergreen blog post published analyzing AI impact on airline pilots. Automation risk 14%, BLS projects +4% growth through 2034.
[Source: AI Changing Work Blog]