Engineering education is constantly evolving to keep up with the latest
technological developments and meet the changing needs of the
engineering industry. One promising development in this field is the use
of generative artificial intelligence technology, such as the ChatGPT
conversational agent. ChatGPT has the potential to offer personalized
and effective learning experiences by providing students with customized
feedback and explanations, as well as creating realistic virtual
simulations for hands-on learning. However, it is important to also
consider the limitations of this technology. ChatGPT and other
generative AI systems are only as good as their training data and may
perpetuate biases or even generate and spread misinformation.
Additionally, the use of generative AI in education raises ethical
concerns such as the potential for unethical or dishonest use by
students and the potential unemployment of humans who are made redundant
by technology. While the current state of generative AI technology
represented by ChatGPT is impressive but flawed, it is only a preview of
what is to come. It is important for engineering educators to understand
the implications of this technology and study how to adapt the
engineering education ecosystem to ensure that the next generation of
engineers can take advantage of the benefits offered by generative AI
while minimizing any negative consequences.