Here's how you can navigate the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on your engineering career.

I am not afraid of the introduction of AI, I believe, soon it will be a part of our life. Now, I consider an AI chatbot to be nothing more than an effective search system, it should be effectively used in everyday work. Using AI, I can find the answer for my questions much faster and save time. I see the biggest danger (in AI usage) in security questions, it is clear, AI could easily access personal and other confidential information.

Always keep learning...never stop learning. These two points intertwined into your daily engineering tasks should allow you to never be afraid or overestimate the reach of automation and AI. Autonomy and AI can be used, and is being used, to help make daily tasks more efficient and automation useful in more situations as well as advancing needed automation tasks.

AI is revolutionizing the automation career by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. It enables the automation of complex tasks, reduces human error, and allows professionals to focus on more strategic and innovative work. This transformation is driving significant advancements and creating new opportunities within the industry.

I believe AI won't harm those in engineering fields like design and production. However, those in data collection and processing may be directly affected. Embrace AI rather than fear it.

As an engineer with any involvement with automation, AI, or any autonomous equipment, it should be a goal, if not mandatory, to dive in and learn new or broaden existing knowledge of any software package or language related to AI or related coding engines. Start a project that involves some hardware, sensors, and maybe some Python code that will help learn the code or algorithms that are used in AI. Even if you don't get that deep normally, it will help you understand the theories and maybe the best way to apply to everyday tasks.

Constant innovation and leveraging automation and AI are indeed crucial for maintaining relevance and advancing in the engineering field. Experimenting with these technologies can lead to unique solutions that distinguish professionals from their peers. For example, using AI for predictive maintenance can prevent equipment failures, while automation tools can streamline repetitive coding tasks, significantly enhancing efficiency and productivity. This showcases adaptability and a commitment to driving the industry forward. As Jeff Bezos aptly puts it, "What’s dangerous is not to evolve."

It is clear to me, that more employees and especially lower-level managers are against the automation of the SW development process. An even bigger problem is that the development of automation tools (for software development) goes in the direction of meeting standards, but this strongly conflicts with the usual ways of our software development.

Explore the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on your engineering career through continuous education, working on practical projects, and attending conferences and seminars. Research and read about recent advancements, obtain relevant certifications, and participate in online communities and hackathons. Improve your skills in specific tools and software, seek work experience in related roles, and consult with mentors and career advisors. Analyze the job market to understand trends and skill demands in your field.