The advent of technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Robotic Process Automation, Machine Learning have made them important skills to have for engineers to be accepted in the industry, says Dr. S.G Gopalakrishna, Director, Nagarjuna Group of Institutions in a conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Engineering is one of the most sought after educational streams in India and students often relate engineering education as a suitable way to embark on a successful career journey. This often means that the job prospects are much more if one follows this discipline as compared to other streams.
Earlier, streams like Mechanical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Science were the domains that students usually pursued and were considered the traditional fields. Lately, there has been a lot of focus around inculcating research in the curriculum, experiential learning, STEM education, deep tech etc.
Also read: Kendriya Vidyalaya to introduce Artificial Intelligence
The advent of technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Robotic Process Automation, Machine Learning have made them important skills to have for engineers to be accepted in the industry.
Given the scenario and the unlocking procedure in the country, manufacturing industries can be expected to rise in terms of business in the first place. Engineering education with a sharper focus on technologies like Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence is helping students to understand the impact of their learning and the need in society.
Following are some of the ways in which AI will revolutionize the career journey for engineers in the post COVID world:
1. Human-AI collaboration: In an attempt to find a COVID-19 vaccine, the human-AI collaboration will have an important role to play. In the medical field, AI will help to accelerate the search and overcome challenges.
2. AI in retail and supply chain: The nationwide lockdown has certainly changed the consumer behaviour patterns. To maintain social distancing norms, online buying or e-commerce, in particular, has witnessed a surge. AI will be specifically useful in the e-commerce industry and will help to strengthen the supply chain. This means bringing retailers and buyers closer.
3. Industrial Automation: Many industries will witness a tech renaissance in the post COVID world. Programmable robots to speed up the production process while also maintaining social distancing norms are being considered by manufacturers. This is not only limited to the automobile industry but also in the food and beverages sector, electronics and pharmaceutical sector.
4. AI-based Disease Surveillance: Medical practitioners and researchers will depend heavily on AI-based tools and tracking systems for disease surveillance.
5. AI-driven economy: The global pandemic has also compelled us to adapt to digital transformation. Be it workplaces adapting tools to enable work from home or educational institutions taking to online platforms and adapting virtual classrooms.
For students pursuing engineering, it is about time they build their skills around these contemporary technologies to be able to innovate and collaborate with the industry, develop a mindset to be prepared with upcoming changes and deal with any kind of uncertainty.
