Implications of AI and Machine Learning

AI and machine learning has already made its way into our lives, be it a positive impact or a
negative one. We cannot deny its big presence in our world. Ranging from a larger perspective down to
the specific effects, it has numerous possible implications that we have to focus on.

Starting with the negative implications of AI and machine learning, some examples are data
breaches, cyberattacks, and election meddling. In line with this, many individuals and organizations are
also concern with its effect on our privacy, national security, democracy, and ethics. All of these are
predicted to happen in the near future. In particular, democracy is said to be greatly affected by the
digital revolution. The same social network we are using today allowed the political operatives and
governments in interfering with elections, spreads disinformation, and spread hatred to ethnic
minorities. Thus, negatively affecting our democracy and it can happen anytime and anywhere.

This can also affect Civil Engineers on many levels. First is the job displacement it will cause,
according to the World Economic Forum, 85 million jobs globally could be potentially displaced by AI
technologies by the year 2025. Furthermore, there is a high chance of engineers being over reliant on
using AI-generated design without understanding the principles behind it due to its convenience and
speed. Lastly, it is predicted that in the next decades to come, there will be an expansion on what tasks
that machine can do better than humans and it is because of the fast advancement of computer power
and artificial intelligence.

On the other side of the coin, we cannot deny the positive implications of AI and machine
learning. Enhancing productivity, improve healthcare, and revolutionize many industries are few
examples of the good effect of AI. Moreover, its effect on operational efficiency of organizations due to
the use of AI in customer service, financial services, and manufacturing is undeniable. Besides this, it can
also help our society achieve its utmost potential in transportation by analyzing the real-time traffic data
and minimize congestion and reduce travel time. However, there is an enormous potential of AI in
education. It can offer personalized and individualized teaching to improve the learning outcomes by
analyzing the student’s data and categorizing their strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. It can also
provide real-time feedback to the students to keep them on track with their studies and be engaged in
learning.

As we know, the engineering profession is influenced by AI. One of the most impressive
applications of AI in engineering is its ability to enhance engineering simulations and analyses’ accuracy
and speed. Algorithms of machine learning can easily identify trends and patterns that are difficult for
humans to see and detect. Thus, helping engineers develop efficient and better solutions. Furthermore,
AI-enabled sensors can predict when a structure, machine, and equipment will fail. It will enhance
proactive measures, safety, and its lifespan. One example of AI and ML is 3D printing. It has the ability to
create prototypes quickly and cost-effectively, so engineers can iterate designs when improving a plan
and finding faults and alternatives to it. There are endless possibilities of AI and smachine learning in
engineering, and some additional impacts of it are automation of engineering tasks, expertise
augmentation, robotics, energy optimization, and environmental impact analysis.

In truth, AI is involved in our lives more than what we think. It already has, can, and will redefine
our society and it has the ability to change the trajectory of our future. We need to adopt a balance
approach with AI, with careful consideration and right skill and mindset. But ultimately, will you let it
only help us or completely replace us?

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-revolution-structural-engineering-friend-foe-hingnekar-phd/

https://instituteforglobalaffairs.org/projects/digital-revolution/?
gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA2pyuBhBKEiwApLaIO9UkTrHZ0Dte-
p9YWa1dMsFeIY647qVLQ7VDzQVLWbVepR3yt1m6URoCAYcQAvD_BwE

https://instituteforglobalaffairs.org/2019/01/the-state-of-technology-governments-in-the-new-era-of-
technology/

https://instituteforglobalaffairs.org/2019/01/the-robot-rat-race-how-technology-is-changing-jobs-and-
what-that-means-for-society/

https://www.3dbear.io/blog/the-impact-of-ai-how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-
society#:~:text=AI%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20bring%20about%20numerous%20positive
%20changes,lives%20easier%20and%20more%20convenient.

https://www.adnovum.com/blog/the-impact-of-ai-and-machine-learning-on-societys-wellbeing

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/innovations-bridge-design-construction-phase-5-gopi-krishna

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/impact-artificial-intelligence-engineering-profession-balino#:~:text=AI
%20is%20also%20enhancing%20the,and%20optimize%20designs%20more%20effectively.

https://civilengineerdk.com/ai-in-civil-engineering/#:~:text=AI%20assists%20in%20project
%20scheduling,and%20more%20accurate%20cost%20estimation.

AI can analyze student data and create a personalized learning plan for each individual student, taking
into account their strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. This approach has the potential to
dramatically improve learning outcomes and engagement.

AI-powered technologies can provide students with real-time feedback, help them to stay on track with
their studies, and offer a more personalized and engaging learning experience.

Over the next decade or so, rapid advances in computing power and artificial intelligence will
dramatically expand the number and types of tasks that machines can do better than human workers. As
computers get better at skills that require problems solving and intuition, robots won’t just replace
human muscle – they’ll replace human brainpower.
Positive Side:

AI has the potential to enhance our productivity, help improve healthcare, and it has the ability to
revolutionize many industries. In addition, it also has enormous potential in education such as it can
increase our access to education. -

It can also help boost the operational efficiency of organizations due to the use of AI now in customer
service, financial services, and manufacturing. Besides this, it can also help our society achieve its utmost
potential in transportation and automate unproductive tasks. -

In engineering, AI and machine learning can enhance the accuracy and speed of simulations and
analyses by detecting patterns and trends that might be difficult for humans to observe. -

It can help us minimize human error, optimize resource allocation and speed up tasks. In addition, it can
predict catastrophic failures, for the safety of the workers and public. -

It can help improve the transportation efficiency by analyzing the real-time traffic data and minimize
congestion and reduce travel time. -

Negative Side:

AI has already made its way into our lives, some implications of it are data breaches, cyberattacks, and
election meddling. Concerns in our privacy, national security, and democracy are also shown. -

Aside from those, job displacement and its ethical effect are other concerns we will address due to AI. -
https://www.3dbear.io/blog/the-impact-of-ai-how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-
society#:~:text=AI%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20bring%20about%20numerous%20positive
%20changes,lives%20easier%20and%20more%20convenient.

Bias in AI algorithms, transparency, and accountability are some examples of ethical considerations. -
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/impact-artificial-intelligence-engineering-profession-balino#:~:text=AI
%20is%20also%20enhancing%20the,and%20optimize%20designs%20more%20effectively.

A huge change in our social life can happen as AI replaces human and personal gathering and face to face
meeting will no longer be needed. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7605294/

It is also predicted to create wealth inequality, as it will widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
Moreover, The so-called “M” shape of wealth distribution will be more obvious. -
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7605294/