Will AI replace engineers?

AI will replace some types of engineers but will also create many new positions for engineers as well. The most likely applications for AI are in more routine software engineering tasks. However, there will still be a need for “AI creators” to give direction to the AI agents on what functions are to be coded into software products. Designing of AI solutions and applications for AI will require many new design engineers and also the development of new skill sets. It is an exciting and emerging field to get involved with.

I hold a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering and have been working with and programming Artificial Intelligence for more than 40 years. AI is a technology that has steadily evolved, and it will continue to advance. Only recently has it become accessible in a way that makes it easy for the general public to use. Its power is now widely recognized—just as you are recognizing it by asking this question.

Certain tasks will inevitably be reliably handled by AI tools. But it’s important to remember: AI is a tool. When robotics became more widespread, people asked the same question—“Will robots replace humans?” The answer then, as now, is that robots are tools. Think of AI in the same way, but on a larger scale. Consider how it can be applied to solve bigger, more complex problems. The key is to understand both its strengths and its limitations across different domains. This is an exciting time to be an engineer and figure out how to best utilize this new tool.

Until we have an AI robot that is as fully functional as a human and can do critical thinking and problem solving, engineering will remain a job that can be done only by humans. As a chemical engineer for an Energy company, I use AI at work to do calculations. However, those calculations are only as good as the information that I feed it – and often AI makes incorrect assumptions that I am only able to identify using my engineering knowledge and experience, and often AI cannot do the calculation or evaluation at all. Project engineering mostly consists of coordinating between multiple different people and engineers, reviewing and evaluating the work to make sure the right design decisions are being made (for example – did we size this compressor for what will be needed not only tomorrow, but also 10 years from now?). Civil/Structural engineers may use AI to do calculations, but project managers still require an actual civil engineer to bring the knowledge required for reviewing questions like “will this boat crane be able to lift this platform”, because managers do not have the technical ability to request AI to do these evaluations themselves. Even with the advancement of AI, our world runs on electricity and rotating equipment – electrical engineers and mechanical engineers will still be needed to design equipment and keep them operating. So much of engineering requires working with Operating equipment, diagnosing problems and providing solutions that are easiest to implement and lowest cost. When we get to a point that a fully automated AI robot exists to do that work, no job will be safe.

AI is becoming a really helpful tool for engineers, but it isn’t going to replace them. Instead, it takes care of the boring or repetitive parts of the job so engineers can focus on the fun, creative problem solving that only people can do. AI can look up information quickly or help suggest ideas, but it can’t understand people’s needs, make tough decisions, or go out into the real world to build and fix things. That means engineering jobs are still very important, especially ones that involve creativity, teamwork, and hands on work. The best way for students to get ready for the future is to stay curious, learn new technology, practice solving problems in different ways, and work well with others — because those are the skills that will always matter, no matter how smart computers get.

Engineering jobs will dwindle, but not disappear. Engineers who know how to use AI to accomplish those engineering tasks faster will be in demand. AI is not perfect and is only as good as the data it’s fed and prompt it’s given. My advice is to stay the course in your engineering field, you’ll need that foundational knowledge, and add in how to use AI to accomplish the those engineering projects. For example, you still need to understand data and have some knowledge in your field such as programming to be able to create the prompt, check the AI response for “hallucinations” and then create the troubleshooting prompt. Prompt creation is a key to using AI successfully.

I would like to quote what industry is saying on this topic –

• AI will not replace humans, AI will replace humans who don’t use AI.
• AI is good to use with human in the loop – which means human oversight is required along with AI. Tasks cannot be left to AI alone, as AI can make mistakes.

In case you have tried any LLM like ChatGPT/ Claude or any other, you may have noted the disclaimer at the end – XXXXX can make mistakes. Check important info

There are 2 aspects of AI-

1. End user of AI – wherein everybody is using AI – everyone needs to gear up to this requiremen
2. Make/ construct the AI – this is deep and the highest level of proficiency – it’s a good space to be in, but laborious to get there

As a student, if you are planning a career in AI, it’s a great place to be. Try to acclimatize yourself by trying out different AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude..etc. Try to read as much as possible, attend as many online or offline trainings as possible. This will help you to decide your career path.

Just ask Google:

No, AI won't outright replace telecom engineers; instead, it will transform their roles, automating mundane tasks (like basic config, anomaly detection) and shifting focus to high-level design, strategy, security, and guiding AI systems, creating a symbiotic relationship where engineers leverage AI for efficiency and handle complex, contextual challenges. The key is adaptation—engineers must learn to use AI tools, evolving from manual work ("hands-on") to strategic oversight ("mind-on") to remain valuable.

As a telecom engineer, I am excited about some of the potentials AI can bring to the table. There are many tasks which are repetitive and automation would enable us to actually plan a network. Monitoring and maintaining equipment can be time consuming and sometimes it is easy to lose sight of capacity until you are in an emergency mode. Automation could monitor and send alerts when equipment needs to be augmented or possibly even replaced. It can manage ebbs and wanes in consumer usage or changes to other carriers and help improve consumer favor.

AI has to learn from us and the telecom industry changes so fast, can AI keep up with the changes or like us does it adapt and just become another tool.

As an upcoming student and engineer you should understand how AI works and can assist you but remember, AI is only as smart as the individuals who trained it. Even when it adapts learning it is based on specific logic functions. Many times engineering involves ingenuity and innovation to solve a problem, so no I don't think AI will replace engineers ever, it will just transform us.

Al is not replacing engineers, it is changing how engineers work. While Al can automate repetitive tasks and make tasks easier and time effective, engineering requires human judgment, creativity, ethics, and understanding of real-world problems, which machines cannot replace. Fields involving safety, infrastructure, environment, and human impact are especially secure. Students should focus on strong fundamentals, problem-solving, and learning to use Al as a tool. The future belongs to engineers who adapt, learn continuously, and work alongside Al to create better solutions.

AI does not “know” anything, and does not understand or problem solve. It is a tool in an engineer’s toolbox, so engineers are going to be needed even more in the future. I recommend to all engineers in college to minor or at least take a few computer science classes so you can understand how to integrate such technologies into your work.

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping engineering, but it is not replacing engineers. What we are seeing is a shift in roles: AI is automating repetitive tasks such as data analysis, simulation runs, and design iterations, while engineers remain essential for creativity, judgment, and multidisciplinary decision making.

Fields that require physical presence, safety oversight, and regulatory compliance, such as civil infrastructure, energy pipelines, and biomedical systems, are least likely to be fully automated. In these areas, engineers must interpret complex contexts, balance risks, and ensure ethical and safe outcomes. For students preparing for a future where AI is everywhere, I recommend three priorities:

• Learn AI tools: Become literate in machine learning, simulation, and automation platforms.
• Develop human strengths: Focus on creativity, problem framing, ethics, and communication.
• Stay multidisciplinary: Combine engineering fundamentals with data science, materials science, or sustainability.

AI will be a powerful partner, but engineers will continue to lead in shaping safe, innovative, and resilient solutions. The future is not about replacement, it is about collaboration between human expertise and digital intelligence.