Are Cavalry Scouts at Risk Due to AI?

Operate tanks, light armor, and amphibious assault vehicles during combat situations on land or in aquatic environments. Duties include driving armored vehicles that require specialized training; operating and maintaining targeting and firing systems; operating and maintaining advanced onboard communications and navigation equipment; transporting personnel and equipment in a combat environment; and operating and maintaining auxiliary weapons, including machine guns and grenade launchers.

The occupation "Armored Assault Vehicle Crew Members" has a base automation risk of 0.0%, indicating it is highly resistant to automation. This extremely low risk stems from the complex and unpredictable operational environment in which these crew members function. While modern vehicles are increasingly equipped with advanced technology, the tasks performed by these crew members require adaptability, critical decision-making, and real-time problem solving under stressful conditions—qualities that current AI and robotics are unable to consistently replicate. Additionally, the occupation involves teamwork, on-the-fly tactical judgment, and the navigation of rapidly changing combat scenarios, which are inherently difficult for automated systems to manage independently. Among the tasks performed by armored assault vehicle crew members, the most automatable are: (1) monitoring vehicle systems and diagnostics, which involves routine assessment of mechanical and electronic health indicators; (2) operating certain instrumentation, such as sensors and communication devices, which could potentially be controlled by automated systems; and (3) performing standardized maintenance checks according to preset protocols. Although these tasks are somewhat automatable, they are only components of the overall role, and their automation is often limited by the need for rapid, context-sensitive human supervision and intervention. Conversely, the top three most automation-resistant tasks in this occupation include: (1) real-time tactical decision-making during combat operations, which involves interpreting incomplete information and making fast, high-consequence judgments; (2) dynamic collaboration and communication with other crew members and command units, requiring nuanced understanding and situational awareness; and (3) adaptive problem-solving in the face of unexpected equipment failures or hostile actions. The bottleneck skills for these tasks include high-level critical thinking, rapid situational assessment, emotional resilience, and advanced teamwork, all typically at advanced to expert levels. These skills collectively block automation because they rely on human intuition, context, and adaptability—core areas where AI currently falls short.