Will AI Replace CNC Programmers?

by Morning Machinist

Author

Jon House
August 17, 2025

A recent viral post in our MACHINIST Facebook group got everyone talking — and arguing.

It was a chart of the Top 40 occupations most “applicable” to AI replacement.
Ranking #7 on the list?

CNC Tool Programmers.

Yeah. Right behind things like credit authorizers and proofreaders.
That’s a bold claim — and our machinist community had thoughts. A lot of them.

🛠 The “Not So Fast” Crowd

Several seasoned programmers pointed out a critical reality: AI might assist programming, but full takeover is a stretch — especially when you leave the textbook and enter the shop floor.

“It’s a solid 80% tool to get you to finishing, but it’s more complementary to a good programmer than a surrogate for one.”

“It will always need oversight — especially with awkward materials and expensive parts.”

Others noted that AI toolpathing is really just the next evolution of things we’ve already seen in CAM for years — like Dynamic OptiRough (Mastercam) — but now with more automation.

⚠️ The “Adapt or Else” Voices

Some machinists warned that certain programmers — especially those far from the shop floor — might be at risk sooner.

“If you sit in a cubicle and slap toolpaths to CAD without touching a machine, be worried.”

“AI won’t erase programmers, but it will let a shop cut a 3-man team down to 1.”

And yes — history has a way of proving the doubters wrong:

“How many said CAD wasn’t capable when it came out? My workplace went from 40 drafting tables to 2 designers.”

🏭 The Industry Shift

A few comments pointed out that big industry is already there — with lights-out machining, in-process probing, automatic tool changes, and AI-driven monitoring.
Job shop machinists, on the other hand, weren’t convinced:

“Won’t happen in job shops… with small batches and one-off work. AI can help, but it won’t replace me.”

🔧 The Human Factor

Programming is only part of the job. Problem-solving, fixturing, machine repair, and dealing with the “f’kery” that happens on real shop floors are skills no AI has mastered yet.

“If you can jump in, figure it out, and fix it — you’ll be fine.”

“Anything repetitive can be replaced. But troubleshooting? That’s staying human.”

📌 Takeaway

AI is coming for parts of CNC programming — no doubt.
It’s already here in high-volume, predictable production. It’s going to make the average programmer more productive. And yes — it will replace some jobs.
But the universal message from the floor?

💡 If you want to stay irreplaceable — stay hands-on, solve problems, and keep learning.

💬 Question for the shop floor:
Do you see AI as a threat to CNC programming jobs — or just another tool in the toolbox? Reply and let us know.

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