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As engineers shape the future of technology and society, embedding human rights into engineering education is essential for fostering ethical practices, enhancing access to technological benefits, and addressing harm caused by engineered products or processes. This research will examine the attitudes of engineering students toward human rights and will explore the effectiveness of targeted educational interventions in fostering a deeper understanding of the intersection between engineering and human rights principles. Conducted with a senior design engineering class, the research will use pre- and post-intervention surveys to measure changes in students’ perceptions. The intervention consists of asynchronous online modules that integrate foundational human rights concepts with practical engineering applications, including sustainability, ethics, and social justice. The modules are organized around six key clusters, but this poster focuses on cybersecurity, privacy, and human vulnerability. Using a case study of Emancipatory AI, the poster highlights its potential to empower marginalized groups by breaking down barriers to technology access. This case study illustrates how human rights principles, including equity and accessibility, can guide the ethical development and application of AI to address systemic inequalities and promote social inclusion. We aim for this poster to encourage reflection on the role of human rights in engineering and the ways AI can be leveraged as a tool for the social good. This work reinforces the importance of integrating human rights considerations into engineering practice to create more inclusive and just technological solutions.
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This content will become publicly available on September 16, 2026
Human Expertise and AI in Civil Engineering: Competencies for Responsible Engineering Practice
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly evolves, its integration into civil engineering presents both significant opportunities and challenges. Through a qualitative analysis of interview, survey, and reflection journal data, this study explores the perspectives of early-career civil engineers regarding the current and potential roles of AI in engineering practice. While AI is seen as a valuable tool for automating routine tasks and enhancing efficiency, concerns persist about its reliability, ethical implications, and potential overreliance. Participants emphasized the importance of maintaining human oversight, with AI serving as an aid rather than a replacement for engineering judgment. The study identifies key competencies essential for engineers to effectively and ethically integrate AI, including AI literacy, critical thinking, ethics, and cybersecurity awareness. As AI continues to influence the field, it is crucial to equip engineers with these competencies through education and ongoing professional development. The paper offers recommendations for integrating responsible AI practices into engineering education and the workplace, highlighting the need for continuous training in both technical skills and ethical decision-making. This research contributes to the growing literature on responsible AI integration, providing insights that can guide the future workforce in navigating the complexities of AI-enhanced engineering practices.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2429274
- PAR ID:
- 10648731
- Publisher / Repository:
- Annual Conference of the European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI)
- Date Published:
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Responsible AI Professional Competencies AI in Civil Engineering AI Ethics
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Location:
- Tampere, Finland
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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