Create maps.

Create maps. is a detailed work activity in O*NET — a concrete unit of work shared across 9 occupations and seen in 16 occupation-specific tasks. It rolls up into the broader work activity Create visual designs or displays. in Thinking Creatively .

Detailed work activities are the most granular shared layer in O*NET's work-activity hierarchy (Generalized → Intermediate → Detailed → occupation-specific task). The figures below describe how this activity shows up across the economy and what independent studies measure about AI and this kind of work — not a prediction that the work will be automated.

AI exposure

Of the 16 tasks under this activity that the OpenAI / Eloundou “GPTs are GPTs” study rated, 15 (94%) are flagged as directly exposed to language models (E1) or exposed via model-powered tools (E2).

The Anthropic Economic Index observes real AI use on 2 of these tasks, with a mean mapped-usage share of 0.003% per task.

Exposure estimates overlap with model capabilities — whether a model could speed the task up — not whether the work will be done by software. Observed AI use is augmentation and assistance today, not jobs replaced.

Member tasks

Occupation-specific tasks O*NET maps to this detailed work activity, most important first.

• Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed. · Surveyors · importance 4.7 · exposure with tools
• Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments. · Cartographers and Photogrammetrists · importance 4.5 · exposure with tools
• Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment. · Cartographers and Photogrammetrists · importance 4.5 · exposure with tools
• Prepare site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development. · Landscape Architects · importance 4.4 · exposure with tools
• Establish fixed points for use in making maps, using geodetic and engineering instruments. · Surveyors · importance 4.2 · no direct exposure
• Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures. · Architectural and Civil Drafters · importance 4.2 · exposure with tools
• Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments. · Cartographers and Photogrammetrists · importance 4.2 · exposure with tools
• Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales. · Surveying and Mapping Technicians · importance 4.1 · exposure with tools
• Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters. · Surveying and Mapping Technicians · importance 4.1 · exposure with tools
• Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings. · Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians · importance 3.9 · exposure with tools
• Determine map content and layout, as well as production specifications such as scale, size, projection, and colors, and direct production to ensure that specifications are followed. · Cartographers and Photogrammetrists · importance 3.8 · exposure with tools
• Develop soil maps. · Conservation Scientists · importance 3.7 · exposure with tools
• Participate in the planning or development of mapping projects. · Remote Sensing Technicians · importance 3.7 · exposure with tools
• Select and mark trees for thinning or logging, drawing detailed plans that include access roads. · Forest and Conservation Technicians · importance 3.7 · exposure with tools
• Trace contours or topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land or property locations or geographic attributes. · Surveying and Mapping Technicians · importance 3.7 · exposure with tools
• Prepare topographic or contour maps of land surveyed, including site features and other relevant information, such as charts, drawings, and survey notes. · Surveying and Mapping Technicians · exposure with tools

Occupations that perform this

• Surveyors
• Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
• Landscape Architects
• Architectural and Civil Drafters
• Surveying and Mapping Technicians
• Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Conservation Scientists
• Remote Sensing Technicians
• Forest and Conservation Technicians

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

• O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
• Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
• “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

@misc{singulariki-create-maps,
  title  = {Create maps.},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/detailed-activities/create-maps}
}