Listen to machines during operation to detect sounds such as those made by dull cutting tools or excessive vibration, and adjust machines to compensate for problems.

“Listen to machines during operation to detect sounds such as those made by dull cutting tools or excessive vibration, and adjust machines to compensate for problems.” is a core task performed by Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators. Among the occupation's 27 rated tasks, workers place it 21st by importance (#7 most important). About 97% of workers say it is relevant to their job.

This is a single occupation-specific task statement from O*NET. The figures below describe how central the task is to the job and what independent studies measure about AI and this kind of work — not a prediction that the task will be automated.

Work activities this task rolls up to

O*NET groups concrete tasks into broader work activities shared across many occupations.

• Monitor equipment operation. in Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

AI exposure

The OpenAI / Eloundou “GPTs are GPTs” study rates this task E0. No direct exposure — current language models give little or no time savings on this task.

Exposure measures whether a model could meaningfully speed the task up — it is an estimate of overlap with model capabilities, not a measure of whether the work will be done by software. The study's intermediate score (β) for this task is 0.00. Automation potential label: T0.

Other tasks in this occupation

• Measure dimensions of finished workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, templates, and fixtures. · importance 4.8
• Set up and operate computer-controlled machines or robots to perform one or more machine functions on metal or plastic workpieces. · importance 4.7
• Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments. · importance 4.6
• Review program specifications or blueprints to determine and set machine operations and sequencing, finished workpiece dimensions, or numerical control sequences. · importance 4.6
• Stop machines to remove finished workpieces or to change tooling, setup, or workpiece placement, according to required machining sequences. · importance 4.6
• Implement changes to machine programs, and enter new specifications, using computers. · importance 4.5
• Calculate machine speed and feed ratios and the size and position of cuts. · importance 4.5
• Transfer commands from servers to computer numerical control (CNC) modules, using computer network links. · importance 4.5
• Remove and replace dull cutting tools. · importance 4.5
• Check to ensure that workpieces are properly lubricated and cooled during machine operation. · importance 4.5
• Adjust machine feed and speed, change cutting tools, or adjust machine controls when automatic programming is faulty or if machines malfunction. · importance 4.4
• Monitor machine operation and control panel displays, and compare readings to specifications to detect malfunctions. · importance 4.4
• Maintain machines and remove and replace broken or worn machine tools, using hand tools. · importance 4.4
• Insert control instructions into machine control units to start operation. · importance 4.4

See all tasks on the Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators page.

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
• “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic

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

@misc{singulariki-task-11935,
  title  = {Listen to machines during operation to detect sounds such as those made by dull cutting tools or excessive vibration, and adjust machines to compensate for problems.},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/tasks/task-11935}
}