The Unforeseen Impacts of AI on Geotechnical Engineering – Ep 093

In this episode, we talk with Sam Warren, P.E., GE, PMP, and vice president of Farrell Design-Build, the West Coast business unit of Menard USA. Joining him today are two new engineering professionals coming out of college, Adam Fayko and Luis Pinedo. We talk about the dynamic interplay of AI in geotechnical engineering. the challenges and opportunities this presents for young engineers, and how AI is reshaping engineering practices. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Sam, Adam, and Luis: What are your thoughts on the changing role of experienced engineers in the AI-driven industry? How has AI influenced your undergraduate studies in the past year, and what specific changes or developments have you observed? How do you think AI will affect your undergraduate studies, both in terms of benefits and potential drawbacks? How has AI technology changed the field of geotechnical engineering in recent years? How crucial do you believe AI will be for your long-term career? What are some innovative practices that companies can adopt to create a workplace culture that supports the growth of young talent? What actions do you think employers and engineering organizations can take in this new AI field? When choosing an employer, what qualities are important to you, and how do you see AI impacting those qualities in the long run? What are some significant challenges that young engineers might encounter while adapting to these new work environments? What challenges do you anticipate for future young engineers? How can we generate greater interest among young students in the field of geotechnical engineering? What significant changes do you foresee in the practices or methodologies of geotechnical engineering? How can AI be integrated into your daily tasks, and what are the next steps in achieving this integration? What do you foresee for the progress of geotechnical engineering? What is the most important advice that young engineers should follow to ensure a successful lifelong career? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Unforeseen Impacts of AI on Geotechnical Engineering: Experienced geotechnical engineers are unsure about how artificial intelligence (AI) will shape their field. They're questioning whether AI will become as crucial as computers and phones did in the past. To find answers, they're looking to younger engineers who have immersed themselves in AI through academic exposure. ChatGPT is a game-changer for various tasks, helping with writing improvements, clarifying concepts, and providing information when needed. It's not just about words — it also automates tasks like turning PDF tables into Excel-friendly CSV files using its optical character recognition (OCR). This versatility proves handy in both professional and academic settings. Using AI, like ChatGPT, has benefits such as grammar checks and research ideas, but there's a downside. Depending too much on AI during undergrad years may hinder critical thinking and collaboration with peers, replacing meaningful interactions with a quick solution. Balancing AI assistance with traditional learning is key to a well-rounded education. The current use of AI in geotechnical engineering is primarily seen in peripheral services like Outlook and spell check, with limited integration into core calculations. The younger generation, well-versed in both geotechnical engineering and AI advancements, has a significant opportunity to explore AI's potential in reshaping the industry, possibly leading to the emergence of new companies alongside established players like CSI and Bentley. Looking ahead 10 to 20 years,