Artificial intelligence is reshaping the nature of engineering work by improving productivity, changing software development processes, and creating demand for new technical skills, according to Kewan Khawaja, Co CEO of Techlogix Inc. Speaking during TechCAST Episode 10 shared by ULEFUSA, Khawaja discussed how AI adoption is influencing engineering roles and highlighted examples of significant productivity improvements achieved through AI enabled workflows. He explained that industries are experiencing major changes as organizations integrate artificial intelligence into their operations, while engineers need to develop additional skills to remain prepared for evolving technology requirements.
Khawaja shared that when Techlogix started its AI enablement initiative in July last year, the company initially expected productivity improvements of around 30% to 40% in selected areas, including quality assurance departments. However, within months, the organization observed much larger improvements than initially anticipated. By December, Techlogix recognized that AI adoption could deliver significant productivity enhancements, and by June of the following year, the company had already delivered solutions to customers through improved productivity levels reaching several hundred percent. He explained that AI was not only increasing efficiency but was also contributing to improvements in the quality of software development processes.
Highlighting a specific example from Techlogix operations, Khawaja said a software project that previously required four engineers and six months of work was completed with the support of AI enabled processes by two engineers in six weeks. He noted that such changes demonstrate the impact AI is having, particularly in software engineering, where organizations are experiencing major improvements in productivity and quality. According to Khawaja, the impact of AI will vary across different engineering disciplines, with some areas experiencing faster adoption while others may see changes over time. He emphasized that graduating engineers should focus on building additional capabilities, especially in artificial intelligence tools, to improve their productivity and adapt to changing industry expectations.
Khawaja advised engineers and students to begin learning AI tools and related technologies as these skills can significantly improve their capabilities within a short period. He suggested that individuals can develop familiarity with AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Claude through online courses, educational resources, and training materials available on digital platforms. He explained that gaining practical knowledge of AI tools can help engineers become more effective in their roles and better understand how technology can support their professional work. While AI is increasing efficiency in software related fields, Khawaja also highlighted that the expansion of AI infrastructure is creating new opportunities in other engineering areas, including civil, mechanical, and construction disciplines involved in building and maintaining large scale data centers. The discussion emphasized that AI is not only changing existing roles but also influencing the skills and opportunities required across the broader engineering sector.
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