A new survey of skilled-trade workers found that 52% of its auto and fleet respondents see callbacks or rework at least sometimes. Another 36% already use consumer artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude for help at work.
“This survey shows where AI can help tradespeople most on the job, and reducing mistakes and callbacks comes out at the very top,” said Dave Dickson, founder of Bourne AI.
Bourne AI commissioned the survey of 1,000 workers in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and France between May 28 and June 14, 2026. The automotive group included only 44 respondents, and collision repair workers were not separated from other auto and fleet occupations.
Among the automotive respondents, 48% said finding guidance usually takes at least 16 minutes. An AI tool would reduce that time, according to 64%, while 57% said it would help them work more effectively.
Employer investment in workplace AI within two years was expected by 61% of the automotive group.
The broader survey found similar problems across the skilled trades. Almost half of all respondents, or 49%, said callbacks or rework occur at least sometimes.
Most workers also stop to look for information while completing a job. A colleague or supervisor was the most common source of help, used by 60.5%. Online searches were used by 41.7%, while 32.7% already used a consumer AI assistant.
More than half of those who stopped for guidance said the search took at least 16 minutes. About one-quarter reported waits of 30 minutes or longer.
When a quick answer was unavailable, 28% said they continued using their best judgment and accepted the risk of making a mistake. Another 21% used a temporary solution and returned to the uncertain part of the job later.
Workers ranked reducing mistakes and callbacks as the most valuable use for an employer-provided AI tool. Faster access to specifications ranked second, followed by help with customer and compliance documents and training new employees.
Among respondents with access to workplace software, 60% still looked elsewhere for the information they needed.
Dickson said the aim of workplace AI should be to give workers reliable instructions while the job is underway.
“When AI closes that guidance gap, the return is concrete and measurable: fewer jobs come back for rework, and newer workers reach full productivity faster,” he said.
The survey measured workers’ experiences and expectations. It did not test whether an AI system reduced callbacks, errors, repair times or training periods.
