Can Artificial Intelligence Replace Humans? An Engineering Perspective

Alex Gudilko, CEO of AJProTech – IoT Product Development Studio in Los Angeles, California.

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In a world dominated by economic value and increased automation, there is a growing worry about whether AI will replace humans. Yet, many believe that instead of taking jobs away, AI is transforming how we work, unlocking human potential and changing how we innovate and boost productivity. In engineering, it’s crucial to identify roles susceptible to AI and automation, as well as those resilient to change. In this piece, we’ll navigate the dynamic landscape and dive into the impact of artificial intelligence on engineering and related disciplines.

Robots Are On The Rise

It was expected that robots would replace low-skilled labor, particularly in monotonous and dangerous tasks on factory floors. In reality, human labor remains more cost-effective than investing in purchasing and programming robots for most facilities. In addition to robotics hardware, the cost of training is substantial: every time you make a change to the process—traditional robots must be re-trained. Only in large-scale production, such as smartphone assembly, has robotics become practical due to the high volume. A big breakthrough is on the horizon, though: The latest robotics systems with computer vision and artificial intelligence can train themselves and follow generic commands in natural language. When you can “ask” a robot to separate red “things” and green “things” in plain English, robotics automation has tremendous potential.

Algorithmic Copywriting

Copywriting became popular because people realized that persuasive content makes a big impact in grabbing the audience’s attention. Whether it’s on websites, press releases or various media platforms, effective text plays a vital role in conveying official information and engaging with potential customers.

Presently, the work of copywriters may be greatly facilitated by artificial intelligence. While it won’t disappear entirely, AI may empower engineers with specialized knowledge to write compelling articles without hiring other people. AI cannot completely replace copywriters, as the importance of high taste and the quality of the text are crucial factors that AI may struggle to replicate. Nonetheless, the significance of particular knowledge in specific domains is also starting to emerge.

Designer: Hey AI, draw 100 concepts of a speaker with…

While graphic designers are all-in on adopting AI tech, the realm of Industrial Design clings to manual processes. However, it doesn’t imply that industrial designers are barred from, or should refrain from, the power of AI. For instance, they can extract valuable insights by hiring AI to generate multiple product concepts faster. Alternatively, they can task AI to generate a substantially broader range of product sketches, enhancing the exploration of design possibilities.

At present, AI-generated product renders often fall short of perfection or don’t account for manufacturing limitations. Nevertheless, continuous refinement through iterative prompts is feasible. This process might result in renders and sketches at a reasonable pace, potentially faster than starting from scratch, yet it may not revolutionize the field. While generative AI can assist less skilled designers and expedite the design process, high-end professionals rely on their processes and creativity.

10x Engineers

The hot conversation in Silicon Valley revolves around whether AI can replace large software engineering staff. Big tech companies hire tens of thousands of engineers to write generic and not always groundbreaking software. Should programmers be worried about their jobs? It depends.

Website designers are at risk: AI tools can create great-looking web pages with simple prompts. Further customization, such as changing fonts or adding buttons, is even easier than asking your programmer friend.

More advanced systems are developed by hundreds of programmers. Following the 80/20 rule, even before AI, some key members created the most value. Who is a “10x engineer?” A person who can write ten times more lines of code than an average programmer. With AI, 10x engineers can drive even more value. Shall we say 100 lines of code? This way, a team of 10 programmers, together with an AI copilot—a system that engineers can “ask” to write a piece of code—will do more than their entire organization did before.

Electronics Engineers

Electrical engineers develop physical products. Every headphone or camera developed in the U.S. was designed by a team of engineers, each earning $150,000 or more per year. This drives the total development cost into several million dollars. Can AI design a new product for a startup? The short answer is NO.

However, it can augment and expedite development. For instance, AI could generate a diagram outlining the major components of a specific device. Engineers spend a lot of time manually selecting components and discussing them with manufacturers. An AI co-pilot may compile a list of the top 10 manufacturers, find their contact info and draft email requests for pricing and documentation. AI can also help perform calculations and solve math problems. After component selection, engineers connect all parts on the Printed Circuit Board (PCB). While it remains a mainly manual process, CAD software is incorporating more and more AI tools to expedite the development.

Mechanical Engineers

The development process unfolds as our designer crafts the initial design, and our electronics team translates it into a functional PCB. At a certain point, the design is handed over to Mechanical Engineers, who transform it into a manufacturable enclosure. Integration of electronics and mechanics is a meticulous, hands-on affair. Currently, no AI software exists to seamlessly handle the complexities of developing mechanical devices. Even sophisticated tools fall short, and the integration process remains a manual craft. The limited AI involvement may extend to highlighting potential conflicts or identifying areas where design aesthetics could be improved, but the bulk of the work is done by skilled hands.

No One Likes To Dwell On Limitations

Our world is and should be evolving, but technology is far from being able to fully replace highly skilled engineers. Key qualities such as creativity, effective communication and the ability to devise innovative solutions remain invaluable. While AI can complement and enhance certain aspects of work, it is unlikely to completely overshadow the expertise and capabilities of skilled specialists. The reliance on the human touch remains irreplaceable.

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