Will Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers be replaced by AI & Robots?

Key findings

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is set to impact, but not transform, the work of laundry and dry-cleaning workers.

Blue-collar jobs like this are unlikely to be automated by GenAI due to the physical nature of the tasks involved.

The increased demand for premium services may even lead to a rise in income for these workers.

While some skills used in this job, such as active listening and monitoring, could be automated in the future, the core tasks of laundry and dry-cleaning workers are likely to remain unaffected.

How could AI or automation replace or complement job activities?

Artificial Intelligence and automation could be used to streamline laundry workers’ tasks like sorting, loading machines, and applying cleaning agents.

However, AI may struggle with tasks requiring human touch, such as mending clothes or identifying fabric types.

ChatGPT, for instance, could assist in scheduling and inventory management for laundry workers, but may not fully replace the need for human expertise in delicate fabric care.

Job description

Operates washing or dry-cleaning machines to clean industrial or household items like clothes, suede, leather, furs, blankets, curtains, linens, rugs, and carpets. This job may also involve spotting and dyeing these items.