Targeted AI Expertise Needed for Engineering Practice

Study Targeted AI Expertise Needed for Engineering Practice

2025-07-02 From VDI | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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The use of generative AI is fundamentally changing the engineering profession. A recent VDI study shows: 75 percent of employees and employers expect noticeable time savings and efficiency gains through the use of generative AI. However, building skills is necessary for this.

Rethinking engineering: the VDI calls for targeted AI expertise for engineering practice.(Image: freely licensed / Pixabay) — Rethinking engineering: the VDI calls for targeted AI expertise for engineering practice.
(Image: freely licensed / Pixabay)

The rapid spread of generative artificial intelligence has sparked diverse discussions about the profound changes in numerous industries. In particular, the engineering profession is undergoing a transformation: engineers, whose work has traditionally been characterized by precise manual designs, detailed calculations, and analytical thinking, are now confronted with technologies that can automate significant portions of their work.

To gain a better understanding of the impact of these developments on the engineering profession, the VDI/VDE Society for Measurement and Automation (GMA) initiated a study. A key finding: 24 percent of surveyed engineers expect a significant change in their daily work due to AI.

Generative AI demonstrates its potential in engineering across various fields, from automated text generation to optimizing technical designs and supporting software development. It offers tools that can enhance efficiency and precision in work processes. These developments mark only the beginning of a profound transformation.

Prof. Dr. Alexander Fay, Board member of the GMA and professor at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Rethinking Engineering

The VDI recommends a targeted and responsible integration of generative AI into daily engineering practice. AI should support—not replace. Humans remain the decisive authority. For AI to become a real asset in the professional field, clear rules, quality standards, and a conscious division of roles are needed.

AI Expertise Becomes A Key Qualification

The VDI demands: Dealing with generative AI must become an integral part of engineering education. Only if future engineers learn to use AI meaningfully and critically will the profession remain future-proof. New offerings are also needed in continuing education—practical, technically sound, and ethically reflective.

Secure Data Spaces Instead of Risk Platforms

The study emphasizes regulation and safeguarding as prerequisites for the responsible use of AI. Dr.-Ing. Christine Maul, GMA Chair and Team Leader for Advanced Process Control at Covestro, highlights: "Generative AI must not become a risk to innovation and trade secrets. The VDI strongly advises against processing sensitive technical data on open platforms. Instead, protected, in-house AI solutions with clear data protection guidelines are needed. This ensures security in handling the tools and provides flexibility to quickly respond to new AI trends in line with coordinated company processes."

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Date: 08.12.2025

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