Will AI replace commercial divers?

Why AI struggles to replace this job

• Tactile feedback is essential for welding and mechanical repair in zero-visibility water.
• Robots struggle with the unpredictable currents and debris found in busy harbors or dams.
• Emergency underwater rescues or unplanned salvage operations require rapid human decision-making.
• Maintaining high-pressure equipment underwater involves complex manual dexterity that robots lack.

Tasks AI could automate

• Using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for initial pipeline inspections.
• Recording and transmitting high-definition video of underwater structures for analysis.
• Monitoring oxygen levels and decompression times through smart diving computers.
• Performing basic hull cleaning using automated robotic crawlers.

The 10-year outlook

Demand is expected to rise due to aging offshore infrastructure and the growth of offshore wind farms. This remains a high-pay, high-risk job that requires specialized training and physical resilience.

Common questions