AI, IoT, and Data Science are transforming the engineering landscape, significantly influencing the skills and expertise required of tomorrow’s engineers. Here are some key ways these technologies are shaping future engineers:
As the world reels under the era of Industry 4.0, the need for an evolution in engineering education has become more important than ever. Technologies like AI, IoT, and data science are revolutionising the work of many industries, and an engineering workforce is bound to remain busy navigating this constantly changing landscape.
However, in most universities, their engineering curriculum often seems to lag compared to technological developments.
Educational institutions need to reimagine their strategy toward pedagogy, hands-on learning, interdisciplinary approach, and intense engagement with industry leaders to remain relevant and produce industry-ready graduates.
Narrowing the Skills Gap
Girija Kolagada, VP of Engineering at Progress Software, highlights a crucial issue in engineering education: “With the fast development of technology, often academic curricula can’t keep up with the latest, depriving students of the opportunity to enter the workforce equipped with the skills employers need.” The integration of emerging technologies within academic curricula will be of utmost importance to build a workforce that could answer the needs of Industry 4.0.
AI, IoT, and data science are no longer niche areas of study; they represent the fast-growing backbone for industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, finance etc.
“Students need more practical, hands-on learning in AI, IoT, and data science through lab work, internships, and real-world projects to get ready to build the technology businesses will need tomorrow,” Kolagada adds.
This practical focus will ensure that students are not only proficient in theoretical knowledge but can also apply their skills to solve real-world problems.
Collaboration Between Academia and Industry
One way to ensure engineering education stays relevant is through collaboration between universities and industries.
Kartik Ayalh, Director of Technology Delivery and Operations at MassMutual India, explains, “As industry leaders, we need to ensure that students are prepared to come up with solutions that have an impact on real-time problems, right from the early days in their career.”
Ayalh emphasises that partnerships between academic institutions and industries are essential for creating curricula that reflect current market needs. Ayalh’s experience at MassMutual India demonstrates the potential of such collaborations. The company’s Campus Outreach Committee works closely with universities, curating curricula that align with industry requirements.
“We partner with these institutions to provide our expertise as industry leaders, curate the curriculum to suit industry requirements, and help students with the right technology platforms and projects,” says Ayalh. This approach ensures that students are well-prepared to enter the workforce, equipped with both the knowledge and practical experience necessary to excel in fields driven by AI, IoT, and data science.
The Role of AI and GenAI in Engineering Education
AI, particularly Generative AI (GenAI), is transforming how engineers approach problem-solving and innovation.
Biju Davis, SVP of Engineering at Model N, shares his perspective on the role of AI in the healthcare industry: “In the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, engineering education must integrate emerging technologies like AI, IoT, data science, and GenAI to prepare future engineers with the skills needed to drive medical innovation.” As AI-driven technologies continue to advance, students must be trained to harness these tools to create efficient, personalised, and accessible healthcare solutions.
The integration of tools like GitHub Co-pilot into engineering education also plays a significant role in improving productivity and accelerating innovation. Davis adds, “Tools like GitHub Co-pilot are revolutionising code generation, improving productivity, and optimising algorithms, enabling faster build-to-market timelines.”
By introducing students to these tools, educators can help future engineers not only develop technical skills but also streamline their design processes and bring innovations to market faster.
Preparing ‘T-Shaped’ Professionals for Industry 4.0
Rohit Nichani, President and Chief Growth Officer at Encora, believes the future of engineering lies in developing ‘T-shaped’ professionals, who possess deep expertise in their core discipline, while also having a broad understanding of adjacent technologies like data, cloud, and AI.
“In an AI-enabled world, engineers will also need to be trained in GenAI tools, which will help them be more efficient and productive in their roles.”
Nichani adds that technical skills alone won’t be enough in the future. Engineers must be system thinkers, capable of addressing interconnected challenges with a focus on ethics, adaptability, and collaboration. Soft skills like continuous learning and cross-functional teamwork will be as important as technical abilities in navigating Industry 4.0.
Equipping Engineers for Tomorrow
Engineering education must change with the new paradigm of Industry 4.0 continuously. With AI, IoT, and data science being an integral part of every industry vertical, universities have the scope to adopt a dynamic and interrelated approach towards the curricula, amalgamating technical expertise with practical experience and collaboration with industry leaders.
The next generation of engineers needs to understand those technologies but also develop a problem-solving ethos and collaboration in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Strong partnerships from academia to industry will empower the graduates to meet today’s challenges and into the opportunities of tomorrow.
This article was originally published on India Today.
