Engineer Keith Rogers conducts dynamic stability testing with a prototype vehicle | Photo courtesy: Keith Rogers
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Artificial intelligence continues to increase its controversial impact on
society. In recent years, engineering students at universities, including the University of Arkansas,
have been switching majors due to the concern about AI’s impact on their futures.
According to a study done by BestColleges , out of 1,000 students who were polled, 53% say they
are concerned about the impact of AI on the workforce. STEM majors make up a majority of that
percentage.
Although some statistics may show that AI is taking jobs from upcoming engineers, some reports
show that it is also causing a significant shift in the engineering job market, rather than a mass
replacement of existing roles. It creates a variety of opportunities for those in that profession.
Former computer engineering major and current civil engineering student Cole Rogers said, “An
AI [tool] that can know its software off the bat, would be a lot cheaper to use.”
“There is still a place for computer engineers; the AIs aren’t going to be as good as a well-
trained software developer with a lot of experience,” Rogers said.
A sophomore, Rogers, expressed that younger students shouldn’t get discouraged; they should
continue to learn more in the field, utilizing their skills.
“I switched only because I wasn’t ready to gamble on the value of my degree, especially when
the job market is an uncertainty right now,” Rogers said.
Despite Rogers’ concern with AI, some professionals see it as beneficial for their routines. It can
create an outline for programs, along with basic steps for complicated projects.
Keith Rogers, co-founder of and senior engineer at ADEG Testing, said “AI can’t and won’t replace humanity or relationships. Many jobs will likely have fewer positions in some fields, so be sure you love that field and make yourself irreplaceable.”
ADEG Testing is a local company working with accident reconstruction, product defects, and
forensic analysis on vehicular incidents.
At ADEG Testing, Rogers, who is Cole Rogers’ father, said that he has used AI a lot in his day-to-day work. It has enabled him to easily capture new information without reading through endless websites to find confirmation. It also has helped him solve engineering problems that require in-depth formulas.
However, he does see a negative with the fact that people may begin to see it as a crutch for
learning new information, which would lead to “cognitive consequences,” Rogers said.
“Engineering tools are always evolving. AI is just another tool; people just need to be skeptical
of it and not cynical,” Rogers said.
The rise of AI may be changing what it means to be an engineer, but it’s also opening new paths
for those willing to adapt.
However, one thing is clear, the future of the field won’t look like its past.