The advent of AI within businesses in the public and private sector alike have presented new and improved technological advancements. However, because the HVAC industry is in high demand, and the projected rate of HVAC mechanics have been dropping, there are fewer candidates in this rising industry.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupational growth of HVAC mechanics is expected to increase by 13 percent from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. However, with this rise in demand and availability, fewer slots will be filled, as the potential candidates for the HVAC industry slowly, but gradually decreases.

“A study conducted by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute predicts that up to two million jobs could go unfilled from lack of workers with the appropriate skills.” Tim Kane, theNEWS.

So, as higher demands for HVAC mechanics call on unavailable candidates, where will this industry go, and what will overtake these empty seats? With the rise of artificial intelligence some industries, such as manufacturing and factory management, have looked into AI technology to fill them. These jobs have been carried out by automated machines since the late 1960s, and they have usually displaced humans by doing menial and repetitive tasks. However, some argued that Artificial Intelligence, regardless of the industry, will take jobs from prospective workers in those fields, and the Economic forum had predicted that over five million jobs in the manufacturing industry will be lost to AI technology by 2020. Those who are against the advancements of AI, consider that apprenticeships are the answer to decreasing employment rates, while some still believe that AI technology can rescue an industry that is already seeing the retirement of its mechanics. According to, Alian Dehaze in an article titled, Can apprenticeships save young people from the threat of AI? Artificial intelligence might not be an entirely bad thing,

“According to a recent survey by Capgemini, already today four out of five companies have created new job roles through deploying AI-based systems.” Because jobs in the HVAC industry are decreasing, as a result of the lack of candidates, there will be a need to keep up with rising demands, and this means that AI will not take out the Human Element within an industry that is lacking.

Albeit a good investment to land a job in the HVAC industry, because of the decreasing number of HVAC mechanics, it is speculated that many companies will face financial setbacks as future demands continue to rise amid this labor shortage. Whether AI is the resolution to this problem, or not, only the future can tell what will become of this industry.