AI Usage Declaration & Transparency

  • Interview Preparation: To prepare for these interviews, I used the “Good Interviewer” Gemini Gem to help refine my interview questions. My chat history for this preparation can be found here: Link

Initial Thoughts on AI in Engineering

As a Mechanical Engineering student, I foresee AI becoming heavily integrated into both academic studies and professional workflows, particularly in design and simulation. Academically, AI will likely assist in debugging complex MATLAB code or troubleshooting robotics simulations. Professionally, I expect AI to be embedded in CAD software like SolidWorks to optimize parts for manufacturing—such as reducing the weight of a Formula Student car component or calculating optimal linkage mechanisms for prosthetics—by rapidly running thousands of iterations that would take a human days to process. However, I expect it to remain a “co-pilot” rather than an autonomous creator.

AI’s Perspective on the Field

  • AI Tool Used: Gemini
  • Prompt: How is AI currently being used, and how might it be used in the near future, in the field of Mechanical Engineering?
  • Exact AI Output: AI is currently used for generative design (exploring multiple CAD variations based on constraints), predictive maintenance (using sensor data to predict machine failures), and finite element analysis (FEA) acceleration. In the near future, AI is expected to enable autonomous manufacturing systems, real-time digital twins of complex physical systems, and natural language-to-CAD generation, where engineers can simply describe a mechanical part and the AI generates the initial 3D model.

Academic Perspective

  • Interviewee: Dr. Arafa, Professor at the American University in Cairo
  • Summary of Key Findings: An Intellectual Companion: Dr. Arafa described AI as the opportunity of a lifetime. He uses it as a “companion” to brainstorm ideas, think outside the box, and navigate research roadblocks.
  • A Tool for Efficiency: He actively uses AI to help write code beyond his expert level and to automate tedious writing or email tasks. For students, he acknowledges that AI is incredibly useful for summarizing publications and research papers.
  • The Importance of Fundamentals: Dr. Arafa stressed that AI does not change the core fundamentals of classical subjects like Dynamics; Newton’s laws remain exactly the same. He strongly warned against the trap of “dumping” an assignment into AI and blindly copying the results, noting that students who do this fail to understand the material and cannot explain their work. AI can provide incorrect ideas or solutions, so human oversight is mandatory.
  • Future of the Workplace: He noted that the professional world is results-driven; companies will expect engineers to use AI tools to increase efficiency. While he believes AI won’t entirely replace engineers, he cautioned that junior employees who only perform repetitive, routine coding or tasks might face job security risks in the future.

Professional Perspective

  • Interviewee: Ahmed Wael, Engineering Professional
  • Summary of Key Findings: Efficiency and Time-Saving: He noted that AI tools can drastically reduce the time needed for complex tasks, potentially shrinking an 8-hour task down to just 3 hours. AI aids in office productivity as well, such as using Copilot for repetitive Excel tasks.
  • Impact on Engineering Workflows: In practical applications, AI helps navigate the differences between “Greenfield” projects (building from scratch) and “Brownfield” projects (working within an existing factory’s constraints). It is being integrated into software like Autodesk, Fusion 360, and SolidWorks to make them more accessible. AI can also assist with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) by helping interpret structural factors like line loads and point loads.
  • Job Security and Human Accountability: He stressed that AI will not take our jobs, but rather make them easier. Crucially, engineers must still understand the fundamentals to verify the AI’s output. If an AI hallucinates or makes a mistake on an industrial blueprint, the real-world manufacturing consequences could be disastrous, meaning the human engineer must always act as the final, accountable filter.

Final Reflection

To be honest, Ahmed surprised me. I initially expected the younger generation to be more enthusiastic about AI compared to the older generation. While Ahmed wasn’t necessarily more enthusiastic than Dr. Arafa, his insights were absolutely spot-on.

As for Dr. Arafa, I really felt that he wants AI to play a much bigger role. He clearly has no issue with its growth and adoption. His perspective is that we don’t have to stick to the traditional ways of learning; we can embrace new methods that are smarter, faster, and easier. Why fight such a massive and powerful tool?

On a personal level, my experience with AI is usually very smooth. It often amazes me, and even when it doesn’t or when it makes a mistake,it still pushes me forward and gets me unstuck. My biggest struggle is usually figuring out where to start or what direction to take. AI always provides that perfect starting point, preventing me from giving up on a task. It is 100% helpful in my workflow, like when debugging or working in Visual Studio. Ultimately, I believe AI simply makes our lives easier and frees us up to focus on the things that truly matter. I’m not scared; I’m optimistic. I know that the future is for AI , and learning to integrate these tools responsibly will only strengthen my foundational knowledge and engineering capabilities.