Night patrols
“Night patrols” (Security Guard) is being replaced by AI: it entered in 2022 and is projected to be largely replaced by 2032.
What this task is
Guards walk set routes at night through campuses, buildings and warehouses, checking doors, windows and fire equipment and watching for intruders, leaks and other safety hazards.
How AI replaces it
Patrol robots and quadruped robot dogs follow routes autonomously, carrying cameras, thermal imaging and gas sensors; they have been used in parks and substations since 2022. As terrain handling and battery life improve, most night patrols are expected to be done by machines around 2032.
What stays human
Responding in person to what the patrols find still needs guards; smaller teams supervise the robots remotely and handle call-outs whenever something actually goes wrong on site.