Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, and its impact is being felt all over across various industries in the world. Besides its tangible impact, I can confidently say its advancement is far from over, hence the need to brace ourselves for the age we are walking into. This has left many in despair, asking various questions on whether artificial intelligence will render them jobless, since most of the work that was done using human effort is now being automated and taken over by artificial intelligence. In this article, we seek to explore the unique relationship between Artificial Intelligence and a specific job market that is mechanical engineering jobs, highlighting the impact of AI on mechanical engineering, differentiating Job displacement from job transformation, and finally discussing the skill set engineers have to equip themselves with to survive in an AI-driven world.
Mechanical engineering as a field is often referred to as the mother of engineering since it encompasses a little of all the aspects of engineering, but mainly deals with the mechanisms of machines, both simple and complex, and also the analysis of the mode of operation of systems. Some roles of mechanical engineers are to design, fabricate, maintain, and develop systems to make living easier. It is therefore essential that, as a mechanical engineer, you should have a bit of creativity coupled with problem-solving techniques and also the willingness to get your hands dirty as needed.
Impact Of Artificial Intelligence on Mechanical Engineering
The impact of AI is being greatly felt in the field of mechanical engineering. Machines and software like design automation software and predictive maintenance software have been introduced into the field of mechanical engineering, making the designing of models and the performance of predictive maintenance inspections simpler and effective.
Some examples of AI tools that are impacting the field and assist engineers with their work are AutoCAD software for designing, machine learning languages like Python and MATLAB, which are used for data analysis.
Other software, like ANSYS, is also used to run simulations and some analyses, like stress and strain analysis. Other design software, like SolidWorks, is also used. Some tools, like the onboard diagnostics device, are used for detecting faults in a car by just connecting the diagnostic device to the dashboard of the car.
Job Displacement vs Job Transformation
Job displacement refers to the situation where workers lose their jobs due to changes in the economy or technological advancement and leading to economic challenges for the workers where whereas job transformation refers to the changes in jobs due to economic or technological advancements. Unlike job displacement, where the roles of workers are lost, job transformation involves adapting existing skills to new situations and circumstances. Therefore, the main difference between job displacement and job transformation is that one has to deal with totally losing your job, whereas the other involves adapting to new methods of work.
Skills Engineers Will Need In An AI-Driven World
Engineers must develop some soft skills, like communication and teamwork. Though these skills are underrated, they are the most important skills an engineer can have in their arsenal. Next, an engineer seeking to survive in this AI-driven world should be able to learn and adapt to new technologies. Some areas of professional development to remain competitive can be machine learning and data analysis. Some languages that can be useful in this field are Python, C++, and MATLAB. Some software that can be used is Microsoft Excel, Jupyter Notebook, etc. You can also get the whole package in an environment called Anaconda. If you’re an engineer who’s into designing, then the software you can equip yourself with is SolidWorks, Autodesk, ANSYS, etc. This software is used for designing and running simulations. There are some that also allow you to conduct stress, strain, and heat analysis.
Future Of Mechanical Engineering Jobs.
We look forward to a future where the mechanical engineer will be able to co-work with software and AI to increase productivity. We are looking at a significant increase in production and an increase in the standard of living of people. This is a call to all engineers to start learning and equipping themselves with the necessary skills to survive in this competitive industry.
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