Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.

“Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.” is a core task performed by Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. Among the occupation's 17 rated tasks, workers place it 9th by importance (#9 most important). About 92% 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: T1.

Other tasks in this occupation

• Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges. · importance 4.8
• Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements. · importance 4.7
• Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds. · importance 4.5
• Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles. · importance 4.5
• Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations. · importance 4.5
• Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches. · importance 4.5
• Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties. · importance 4.4
• Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices. · importance 4.4
• Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces. · importance 4.3
• Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas. · importance 4.2
• Install tools in spindles. · importance 4.1
• Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces. · importance 3.9
• Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools. · importance 3.9
• Lay out reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques. · importance 3.9

See all tasks on the Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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-11984,
  title  = {Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any 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-11984}
}