Ethics & Integrity

How Engineers Can Be Better Humans in a World of AI

February 19, 2024 By EMI

This is a guest post by Jeff Perry, MBA

“The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race. It would take off on its own, and re-design itself at an ever increasing rate. Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn’t compete, and would be superseded.” ~ Stephen Hawking, as told to the BBC

Quotes like the above have the tendency to scare, intimidate, or get people up in arms about all the terrible and dangerous things about artificial intelligence.

And perhaps rightly so — there are so many unknowns we have to deal with, all while it is expanding and progressing at such a rapid rate. How could regulations, laws, and controls possibly keep up?

At the same time, there are realities we need to face. AI is here, and it’s here to stay. So how do we utilize it while also keeping at our core the things that humans can do that machines and computers can never really do — be emotional people?

Emotions Aren’t Bad

“Feelings are something you have; not something you are.” ~ Shannon L. Alder

I am an experienced emotional suppressor. For the majority of my life, I thought most emotions were bad, so I hid them and what I felt from the world, always putting on a happy face and showcasing what I thought others wanted to see.

Perhaps this served me for a time, but it got to the point where it caused me more problems than any benefits it gave me.

Emotions are meant to be shared with others, and doing so allows us to connect, build bonds, and create meaningful relationships that can only be done with other emotional creatures.

So now, my wife says she expects me to be a “sharer” of my emotions, and this has been a great thing for our relationship.

Additionally, I’ve found other people in my life whom I trust to open up to and be vulnerable with to share things I’m trying to work on and improve in my life. They give me love, support, and grace as I stumble through it all.

This ability to emote and feel the emotions of others (empathy) is good. It’s human. Sure, sometimes it can get us into trouble, but that’s all the more reason to learn more about it and embrace it rather than suppress it like I used to.

What Is Uniquely Human?

Construction Site Safety Tips

October 10, 2017 By EMI

Construction Site Safety Tips is a guest post by Tom Trainer

Working in construction can be challenging, yet extremely rewarding, but it does consist of machine and equipment operation injuries on a daily basis – especially if certain construction safety tips aren’t adhered to. Thus, in order to keep employees safe onsite and personal injury claims at bay, be sure to keep the following construction site safety tips in mind for ultimate peace of mind. These also may be valuable for engineers involved in construction management.

Four Forms of Accountability for Engineers

June 13, 2017 By EMI

This is a guest blog post by Carol Evenson

Let’s talk about the accountability for engineers. Engineering covers a wide range of disciplines, such as mechanical, structural, environmental, or electrical engineers, to name a few. But all are considered professionals, no matter what their place in the organization. Engineers are responsible for many projects that can impact the public. Thus there is a set of ethical and professional standards they’re expected to follow. Failure to do so can have legal or career repercussions. Here are four ways that engineers are held accountable.

1. Licensure

Engineering covers a wide range of skills and activities. By the end of 2015, there were 1.6 million engineers working in the US. Regulations may include obtaining a professional license before an engineer can offer their services to the public or accept certain contracts. Most jurisdictions have statutes defining just what an engineer is, and what they may or may not do. [Read more…] about Four Forms of Accountability for Engineers

Don’t Let Your Ego Engineer Your Career

September 19, 2016 By EMI

Confidence, courage and passion are all items Anthony and I have written on before in our many articles over the years. Channeled in the right way, these personal characteristics will help anyone achieve a vision of future success. But left to their own devices, they can cause you a lot of challenge in both crafting and leading a successful career.

Look no further than the implosion of Enron or the Deepwater Horizon disaster to see what can happen when ego, ambition and drive are left to operate free of a moral compass or controls on goals. These are definitely outlier situations involving very large amounts of money and impacting thousands, if not millions, of lives.

So how does this apply to you sitting in your engineering job? [Read more…] about Don’t Let Your Ego Engineer Your Career

Due Diligence in Your Life

April 12, 2011 By EMI

Due diligence is as important to engineers as water is to a fish. By definition, due diligence is any number of concepts or processes involving an investigation of a design, engineering calculation, contract, or some other item where a certain standard of care is needed. We like to know the bridge we’re driving on won’t collapse or the airplane we’re flying in won’t disassemble in the sky.

As professionals, we understand due diligence in our professional business. How about applying due diligence in our personal business, the segment that matters most to us? The whole rationale for applying due diligence in our professional undertakings is to protect others from pitfalls resulting from oversight, ensuring operations in areas of competence and being honest.