Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – Ethical and Professional Considerations for Engineers and Architects

Since 2024 or earlier, global news media is filled with stories, on a daily basis, concerning the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for society. As with any technological revolution, AI has many significant advantages, some drawbacks, and numerous potential pitfalls. Relative to architecture, engineering, and other design professions, the risk and widespread accessibility of AI systems presents many advantages as well as numerous potential ethical conundrums. Professional engineers and licensed architects are bound by the ethical obligations of their licensure, as well as by their membership in non-profit professional organizations, such as the National Society of Professional Engineers and the American Institute of Architects. However, design firms’ budgetary and schedule constraints on services and deliverables, consistent with the applicable standard of care, present strong temptations for AI use and misuse. In a world where technological changes manifest faster than ever before, how can design professionals best harness technology while maintaining a steady ethical compass, while managing their risk?

This session will present basic historical information on AI, as well as definitions of AI and machine learning. Engineers’ and architects’ key concerns relative to using AI will be identified, along with considerations for design firms that are implementing AI and need to establish policies on appropriate AI use by employees. Considerations for AI use into the future will be addressed. Design firms’ use of common large language models, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, will be discussed. The presentation will address common problems associated with AI use, such as hallucinations and cyber attacks.

After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Describe the background of AI, including defining artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Explain ethical and professional considerations of AI use by architects and engineers.
• Indicate key concerns for AI use by engineers and architects.
• Describe best practices for implementing AI use at design firms and implications of AI use in the future.
• Explain basics of widely-used AI large language models, such as ChatGPT.
• Indicate the potential for AI hallucinations and how design firms can address such risk.
• Describe dangers associated with cyber attacks on AI programs and systems.

Lawrence D. Zamojski, P.E.,
Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc.
Amherst, NY

PRESENTER INFO:

Larry Zamojski is a professional engineer registered in New York State with over 40 years of experience. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, both from Cornell University. Throughout his career he has worked on a variety of civil design and construction projects, has interfaced with architects, and has used a variety of computer programs while performing professional services on an array of complex projects. Larry has been particularly intrigued by recent advances in CADD, BIM, and other digital design applications. He has avidly followed and researched “world changing” developments of artificial intelligence and machine learning systems over the past several years, together with their associated implications on ethical practice of the design professions.