Prompt: Electrical engineers are increasingly working with AI and are sometimes involved in the development of AI themselves. How great is the danger that engineers will ultimately “do away with” themselves because the AI they create could actually replace them at some point? In other words, is AI more of a job killer or a job machine for the electrical engineering profession?
ChatGPT: Electrical engineers play an essential role in the development of AI systems, and the question of whether they could “do away with” themselves in the process is complex and multi-layered. Here are some important aspects to consider:
1. Complexity of tasks: Many tasks performed by electrical engineers are complex and require a deep understanding of electronics, physics and system integration. While AI is capable of taking over certain routine tasks, human ingenuity and problem-solving skills remain essential. The development of new technologies, analysis of unexpected problems and adaptation to rapidly changing requirements are areas where human engineers remain indispensable.
2. AI as a tool and support: AI is primarily seen as a tool that helps engineers to carry out their work more efficiently and effectively. AI can automate repetitive tasks, perform extensive data analyses and help engineers make better decisions. Instead of replacing electrical engineers, AI helps them do their job at a higher level.
3. Creation of new tasks and roles: The introduction of AI creates new tasks and roles for electrical engineers. The development, implementation and maintenance of AI systems requires specialized knowledge and skills. Engineers have to familiarize themselves with new technologies and methods, which leads to a shift in their field of work but does not make their work unnecessary. For example, there is a growing need for experts who focus on the ethical, safety and regulatory aspects of AI.
4. Ongoing training and adaptation: Technological progress requires ongoing training and adaptation. Engineers need to regularly update their knowledge to keep up with the latest developments. This promotes a culture of lifelong learning and enables engineers to continuously develop their skills and take advantage of new opportunities.
5. Ethics and control: Electrical engineers have an ethical responsibility in the development of AI systems. They must ensure that the technologies they develop are used safely and responsibly. This ethical dimension cannot be fully automated, but rather requires human supervision and decision-making skills.
6. Interdisciplinary cooperation: The development and application of AI requires close collaboration between different disciplines, including computer science, data science, mechanical engineering and other engineering disciplines. This interdisciplinary cooperation promotes innovative solutions and expands the field of activity of electrical engineers.
Conclusion: The introduction of AI is more likely to lead to a change in the job profile than to a massive loss of jobs. The risk of electrical engineers replacing themselves through the development of AI is relatively low, as the technology tends to complement and support their work. AI has the potential to transform the role of engineers by allowing them to focus on more challenging and value-adding tasks. However, this requires continuous adaptation and further training in order to meet the new requirements. Overall, AI can be viewed as a job machine. It leads to further development and enrichment of the profession rather than doing away with it.
