Why Engineers Still Rely on Smart Tools in the Age of AI and Automation

There are various “smart tools” – encompassing all manner of specialised hardware and software solutions – that today’s engineers do still depend on. This is despite the staggering progress that automation and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have made in recent times. 

A highly qualified and seasoned civil engineer, for instance, may turn to such smart tools as AI-powered design software, data analytics and simulation tools, drones for surveying and inspection, and mobile apps for on-site management. 

Such tools and resources can be instrumental in engineering professionals’ efforts to achieve the best possible accuracy, efficiency, and results from their projects. 

3 Reasons for Engineering Smart Tools Still Being Important in an ‘AI Age’ 

It is well-established by now that advancements in AI and automation have done a lot to reshape all manner of engineering disciplines. However, it is important not to fall into the assumption that AI can or should “do everything”. 

Here are a few reasons, then, why engineers’ use of smart tools remains pivotal: 

AI Augments Engineers’ Capabilities, Instead of Replacing Them 

The tropes of robots one day “replacing humans” may be as old as the hills. However, as matters stand in the mid-2020s, the effectiveness of AI lies very much in the automation of repetitive tasks and the analysis of vast datasets. 

AI technology can be greatly useful, for example, for automating such tasks as code generation, testing, and debugging. This helps free up human engineers to focus their time and energy resources on more complex problems. 

Moreover, AI is able to pore through and analyse data at staggering speed, and can certainly help draw human engineers’ attention to potential issues. However, even in these situations, the oversight and intervention of engineers is still needed in order to interpret the results and make informed decisions on what steps to take next. 

Human Qualities Are Still Essential in Engineering 

As formidable as AI tech undoubtedly is – certainly compared to what could have been imagined even this time a few decades ago – it still lacks such distinctly human qualities as creativity, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving. 

These are all qualities that are indispensable in engineering – including in response to unpredictable and fast-evolving situations. 

So, whether an engineer is calling upon their creativity to devise remedies to unexpected problems, or they are using a weight conversion calculator or real-time data from an Internet of Things (IoT) device to inform their own judgement, intuition, and experience when reaching a decision, there are still certain human processes that AI can help with, but not replicate. 

There Is a Critical Need to Ensure Regulatory and Standards Compliance 

We are still in a world in which it is human beings, not AI platforms, that are customarily held accountable in circumstances where a breach in pertinent regulations occurs. 

The leading smart tools available to today’s engineers tend to be designed to adhere to common legal standards and regulatory requirements. This helps ensure compliance in legally sensitive fields such as aerospace, medical devices, or aerospace. 

By contrast, AI systems may not be aligned with these standards from an engineer’s first point of contact with them. So, such systems might need to be specifically programmed to make sure they are compliant with the laws as they stand in the given engineer’s jurisdiction. 

The Success of Engineering Projects Doesn’t Hinge on AI Alone 

Ultimately, the best smart tools will complement AI and automation tech by helping to meet engineers’ practical needs and bring greater precision and efficiency to vital processes. 

AI and automation solutions continue to drive all manner of innovation. However, when it comes to ensuring a practical and specialised backbone for even the most demanding of engineering projects, well-chosen smart tools remain essential. 

When the strengths of such tools and technologies are combined with the best in human skill, expertise, and judgement across a wealth of engineering disciplines, optimal outcomes can be ensured from a broad range of projects.