{"id":11871,"date":"2025-07-28T16:51:54","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T20:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/?p=11871"},"modified":"2026-03-26T15:18:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T19:18:18","slug":"ai-ethics-future-engineering-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/engineering-the-future-workforce\/ai-ethics-future-engineering-education\/","title":{"rendered":"AI, ethics and the future of engineering education with Dr. Jacqueline El-Sayed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As digital technologies rapidly advance and industries undergo profound shifts, academic institutions must rethink how they prepare students for the workforce.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For our <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/category\/engineering-the-future-workforce\/\"><em>Engineering the Future Workforce <\/em>podcast<\/a>, we sat down with Dr. Jacqueline El-Sayed, outgoing CEO of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and incoming CEO of SAE International, to discuss how the rise of AI, immersive learning and global connectivity is reshaping education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These advancements present both challenges and opportunities in equipping the next generation of engineers with the skills they need to thrive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Listen on Spotify<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<iframe style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/episode\/1CmVirdRY7ZusA1I1dBlws?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Listen on Apple<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<iframe allow=\"autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *; clipboard-write\" frameborder=\"0\"  style=\"width:100%;overflow:hidden;border-radius:10px;\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" src=\"https:\/\/embed.podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/essential-skills-for-the-next-generation-of\/id1484004628?i=1000691181242\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recognizing students as digital natives in a global community&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cToday\u2019s students have been in global community since they were young,\u201d Dr. El-Sayed explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019re digital natives, meaning the digital connectivity is part of their identity. It\u2019s a language they are very adept and comfortable in.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This shift means that students now have access to global feedback, broader collaboration opportunities and a greater ability to quickly pick up on new technologies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It also underscores the importance of weaving digital learning experiences into the classroom to take advantage of this familiarity with technology and willingness to collaborate virtually. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, engineering educators may guide students through an evaluation of a jet engine or factory floor in the Digital Twin to prepare students for today\u2019s virtual engineering and manufacturing environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The importance of ethics in AI-supported engineering<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. El-Sayed also emphasized that with AI and other automation tools growing increasingly powerful, the human side of engineering is becoming even more critical. Engineers of the future must prioritize ethical considerations and adaptability in their work. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe tools are becoming so powerful. They\u2019re so quick. Engineers need to be able to harness and work collaboratively with these big tools,\u201d Dr. El Sayed states.&nbsp;On the other hand, she also underlines the importance of the engineer working as a partner with AI.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen you have tools that are so powerful, the human side of the engineer becomes paramount because the ethics of what those tools are used for&#8230;the machine doesn&#8217;t have that.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Customizing learning with AI&nbsp;to accommodate different students\u2019 needs<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most exciting frontiers in education is the ability to personalize learning using AI. Dr. El-Sayed shared how AI has the potential to tailor learning experiences based on each student\u2019s unique background.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She provided us with a strong example of a master\u2019s student with extensive field experience who is required to take irrelevant classes just to earn a credential. With AI, learning can be customized to ensure content remains relevant and engaging, eliminating unnecessary coursework and focusing on what truly matters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. El-Sayed also highlighted how AI can help recontextualize classroom examples or references to accommodate students from different backgrounds. She explained how someone who grew up driving tractors in a rural area might have a very different frame of reference than someone who grew up in an urban environment who\u2019s never owned a car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSo the examples that are used when I&#8217;m teaching engineering is very important because if I&#8217;m giving an example that doesn&#8217;t mean anything to that student, that doesn&#8217;t really help them.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat type of customization or personalization of learning is what\u2019s exciting about the future and can help students and professionals focus on the quickest path of learning.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dr. El-Sayed&#8217;s advice for younger engineers<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To wrap up the conversation, Dr. El-Sayed shared the advice she wishes she could have given to her younger self. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t spend so much time beating yourself up. Just be confident and move forward.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She reminds students not to dwell on negative feedback, but instead to keep learning and lean on community. She leaves students with an empowering affirmation to carry with them: &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJust tell yourself that you\u2019re a genius \u2014you\u2019re going to rise to the occasion.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Join the conversation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Listen the full podcast and <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.sw.siemens.com\/en-US\/stay-updated-on-workforce-transformation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">subscribe today<\/a> for updates on how Siemens is working to shape the future of the engineering workforce.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about the state of engineering education in the United States and the changes needed for the future workforce, <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.sw.siemens.com\/en-US\/e-book-revolutionizing-engineering-education\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">download our ebook<\/a> <em>Revolutionizing Engineering Education <\/em>featuring Dr. Gary Bertoline of Purdue University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch on YouTube<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Essential Skills for the Next Generation of Engineers\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JMGIKkdZZ0g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the latest episode of our Engineering the future workforce podcast, we sat down with Dr. Jacqueline El-Sayed to discuss how the rise of AI, immersive learning and global connectivity is reshaping education.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":103577,"featured_media":11888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spanish_translation":"","french_translation":"","german_translation":"","italian_translation":"","polish_translation":"","japanese_translation":"","chinese_translation":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[353,1034,1035],"industry":[],"product":[],"coauthors":[1024],"class_list":["post-11871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-engineering-the-future-workforce","tag-ai","tag-engineering-education","tag-future-workforce"],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/02\/SIEMIND-quote-1200x627-.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/103577"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11871"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12427,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11871\/revisions\/12427"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11871"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=11871"},{"taxonomy":"product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product?post=11871"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=11871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}