The Great Debate: Do We Use AI Tools to be better engineers?

AI, AI, AI… can we stop talking about it?

On one side of the coin, artificial intelligence (AI) can make images, sound, and video — a final product presented by the user as if they made it. On the flipside of that coin, AI is able to make code, solve problems, analyze, automate, process and parse data — the user creates a machine that performs work or produces an output, invisible in relation to the final product they present.  

I think we engineers have a unique and healthy relationship with AI. We’re asked to create a “thing” that does “something.” AI is at the core of that “thing,” helping it do “something.” AI is not the “thing” but how it does the “something.”  

Let me give an example. I made a washing machine sensor device that measures vibration and sends a text message when that behavior changes. I spent about a month developing the circuit, build, and code for it. I ported this idea to a few other platforms, too, which also took quite a bit of time. 

Then NanoEdge AI Studio from STMicroelectronics came along. The company built a similar system in about 30 minutes. If I had NanoEdge AI Studio, I would have a month of my life back, and I would have made the same vibration sensing device. 

The code or design files we let AI generate aren’t going into galleries or presented as artwork. It’s a means to an end. I suppose I could claim I’m the next Nikola Tesla and pretend everything I AI-generate is my handcrafted work. I’m not. I’m generating a machine that does work.  

Am I giving the OK to use AI on the job? I would say it’s time to augment your engineers’ prowess. There are AI-laden tools for just about every nuance of the job. Everything is about to get easier after you see the following list. Will this collection of tools make you a better engineer or a lazy one? 

Either way, enjoy this reference cheat sheet.