Will AI replace audio engineers?
Updated
Audio visual technicians score 45 of 100 for AI exposure. The largest share of their task time, 66%, is work AI speeds up while they stay in charge. AI can take over 19% outright, and 15% stays with people.
- 19% AI can do it
- 66% AI helps
- 15% Needs a person
Moderate exposure
Higher than 63% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 29 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 7 of them today, speeds up 18 and leaves 4 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data. Transcoding, duplication and storage are software tasks AI handles well. | 75% AI can do it |
| Organize and maintain compliance, license, and warranty information related to audio and video facilities. Document systems organize license and warranty records easily. | 75% AI can do it |
| Develop manuals, texts, workbooks, or related materials for use in conjunction with production materials or for training. Drafting manuals and workbooks suits LLMs with light editing. | 75% AI can do it |
| Reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms. Booking systems automate scheduling; a person confirms conflicts. | 70% AI can do it |
| Analyze and maintain data logs for audio-visual activities. Log parsing and upkeep are routine data work for automation. | 70% AI can do it |
| Produce rough and finished graphics and graphic designs. Image generators and design tools produce drafts; a designer reviews. | 65% AI can do it |
| Maintain inventories of audio and videotapes and related supplies. Inventory software tracks stock well; physical counts stay manual. | 65% AI can do it |
| Record and edit audio material, such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment. AI tools handle noise cleanup and rough edits; creative calls stay human. | 60% AI helps |
| Plan and develop pre-production ideas into outlines, scripts, story boards, and graphics, using own ideas or specifications of assignments. LLMs draft outlines and scripts; people approve final storyboards. | 60% AI helps |
| Edit videotapes by erasing and removing portions of programs and adding video or sound as required. AI transcript editing speeds cuts; a person still approves the final. | 55% AI helps |
Show the other 19 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Inform users of audio and videotaping service policies and procedures. AI answers policy questions and drafts guides; staff handle exceptions. | 55% AI helps |
| Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems. Signal quality tools flag problems; a person still watches live feeds. | 50% AI helps |
| Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming. Software can auto switch sources; live cuts still need a person. | 45% AI helps |
| Determine formats, approaches, content, levels, and mediums to effectively meet objectives within budgetary constraints, using research, knowledge, and training. LLMs help weigh formats and budgets; final choices need expert judgement. | 45% AI helps |
| Obtain and preview musical performance programs prior to events to become familiar with the order and approximate times of pieces. AI can summarize programs and timings; previewing the music needs listening. | 40% AI helps |
| Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations. Setup and operation involve physical gear, though AI aids configuration. | 35% AI helps |
| Design layouts of audio and video equipment and perform upgrades and maintenance. Layout design can use AI planning tools; physical upgrades stay human. | 35% AI helps |
| Mix and regulate sound inputs and feeds or coordinate audio feeds with television pictures. Automated mixing helps, but live audio balance needs a skilled operator. | 35% AI helps |
| Perform narration of productions or present announcements. Voice tools can read scripts, but live announcements need a human. | 35% AI helps |
| Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed. Drafting repair reports is easy; escalating stays a human call. | 30% AI helps |
| Diagnose and resolve media system problems. AI helps read logs; physical fixes stay with technicians. | 30% AI helps |
| Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audio-visual materials and on operation of presentation equipment. AI can draft training content; live instruction stays with people. | 30% AI helps |
| Obtain, set up, and load videotapes for scheduled productions or broadcasts. Tape handling is physical, though file loading can be scripted. | 30% AI helps |
| Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions. Live show control is mostly human; AI assists cue programming. | 25% AI helps |
| Meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition. Shot planning meetings are live collaboration; AI only preps notes. | 25% AI helps |
| Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities. Sourcing locations and props involves negotiation and physical visits. | 18% Needs a person |
| Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production. Live leadership of crew needs people skills and accountability. | 10% Needs a person |
| Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment. Routine cleaning and minor repairs need physical handling of gear. | 5% Needs a person |
| Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment. Building and placing sets is physical work with heavy objects. | 5% Needs a person |
How audio visual technicians compare
All occupations (923)
Arts, design, entertainment, sports and media (40)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $58,100 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 70,230 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +3.9% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Set up and strike microphones, cables and mixing boards on site
- Run live sound and lighting cue control during events
- Configure Zoom and Microsoft Teams hybrid meeting rooms
- Audit licence and warranty records in Microsoft Excel
- Hold the AVIXA CTS certification for AV systems design
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about audio visual technicians and AI
Will audio engineers be replaced by AI?
Partly. About 4 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly transcoding and storing audio and video data, plus drafting manuals and compliance records. Setting up microphones, cables and mixing boards on site stays with people because it needs physical handling of gear.
Which tasks is AI taking over for audio visual technicians?
Compressing, digitizing and storing audio and video data scores 75 on exposure, tied for the highest of any task. Transcoding and storage are software jobs that AI handles well. Reserving equipment and meeting rooms scores 70 because booking systems schedule events, and a person only confirms conflicts.
Which tasks stay with audio visual technicians?
Constructing and positioning sets, lighting and equipment scores 5 on exposure because building and placing heavy objects needs a person on site. Minor repairs and routine cleaning also score 5 since they need physical handling of gear. Directing crew during production scores 10 because live leadership needs people skills and accountability.
How can audio visual technicians stay valuable?
Stay on site for setup, striking and repairs, since that work is physical. Lead the crew during live productions and shot planning meetings. Use Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Teams to check AI-generated schedules and data logs, catching conflicts before the event. Build Zoom and Teams room configurations for hybrid meetings.
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