Engineers will be better off with emerging new roles due to AI, say panelists at webinar

Panelists at a webinar on ‘Next-Gen Engineering Careers: Opportunities and Skills for the Future’ assured participants that engineers will be better off compared to other professionals in a world disrupted by Artificial Intelligence (AI). They said that the next wave of ideation and funding will be in the space of AI.

The webinar, jointly presented by Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore and The Hindu Education Plus as part of their career path series, provided insights into emerging engineering domains, skills sought by the industry, and how aspiring engineers can make themselves future-ready to stay ahead in the competitive world.

Pavan Desiraju, head of human resources, San Disk, said that AI had already entered our lives and students who learn faster and apply smarter would be able to stay relevant. He said engineering will prioritise innovation, adaptability, and practical knowledge in future. “AI is an assistive tool. Curious and creative minds can seamlessly take to next-gen engineering careers moving towards automated systems, sustainability,” Mr. Desiraju added.

With job losses on the one side and emergence of new ones on the other, the way in which people worked with shifting job roles will make the difference, according to Sandhya Pentareddy, executive director, VIT Vellore. She said academic institutions were integrating AI into every course and incorporating an interdisciplinary approach but students, too, require to upskill themselves. Biotechnology, cybersecurity, computer science, data analytics, and prompt engineering held huge promise for the future, she observed, adding that demand for green energy experts, robotics engineers, and AI specialists will surge.

Samuel Rajkumar, director, Career Development Centre, VIT Vellore, provided an overview of the various branches of engineering courses offered by VIT and related job opportunities.

The webinar may be viewed at https://newsth.live/THVITNGY.