Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers

applies decorative designs and finishes to glassware, optical glass and ceramic goods by grinding, smoothing, polishing, cutting, etching, dipping, painting or transferring patterns or labels

AI image generation tools like Midjourney or Adobe Firefly can rapidly generate decorative pattern designs for transfer onto ceramics or glass, augmenting the creative design phase while human application skill remains essential.

makes models and moulds from moulding clay and plaster for use in the making and casting of pottery and other ceramic goods

AI-powered 3D modelling software (e.g. Fusion 360 with generative design) can assist in designing mould shapes digitally, but physical mould-making from clay and plaster remains a hands-on craft skill.

uses hand tools and operates machinery to heat, bend, shape, press, drill and cut glass

AI can assist with process optimisation or monitoring via sensors, but the physical manipulation of hot glass using hand tools and machinery requires skilled human dexterity and real-time tactile judgment.

makes artificial eyes, laminated glass sheets or blocks, glass fibre tissue, wool, filament and matting, marks optical lenses and assembles rimless spectacles

AI-assisted optical measurement tools can help with lens marking precision, but the intricate hand assembly and specialist fabrication of items like artificial eyes or glass fibre products requires human craft skill.

throws, casts and presses clay by hand or machine to form pottery, stoneware or refractory goods such as bricks, crucibles, ornaments, sanitary furnishings, saggars, cups, saucers, plates and roofing tiles

Robotic systems exist for some industrial ceramic pressing, but hand-throwing and the nuanced physical shaping of varied ceramic goods still requires skilled human touch and judgment.

cuts and joins unfired stoneware pipes to form junctions and gullies, moulds sealing bands on clay pipes, prepares and joins porcelain or earthenware components and assists crucible makers and stone workers with their tasks

AI has minimal direct impact on the physical cutting, joining and moulding of clay pipes and ceramic components, though AI-guided quality inspection cameras could assist in checking joins.