Civil engineering is entering a new era. Not because our values have changed, but because our tools have. Everywhere you look, there’s noise: “AI is here,” “You’re already behind,” “Automation will replace you.” But from where I sit as a working structural engineer and founder building AI tools for this industry none of that feels quite true.
This moment isn’t about fear or hype. It’s about clarity.
What’s Always Been True
The core of our profession hasn’t changed:
- Safety is still the first priority
- Judgment still belongs to the engineer
- You still sign and seal the work
No model, no script, no algorithm can carry that burden for you.
So What Has Changed?
What has changed is the pace. The volume. The complexity. And the sheer weight of documentation. AI isn’t a replacement. It’s a reaction to an environment that has become harder to manage manually.
Today, you can:
- Use AI to catch errors or inconsistencies across complex drawing sets in seconds
- Summarize 100s submittals in minutes
- Parse code references with a single prompt
- Review RFIs, meeting minutes, and drawings with automated context
But none of that matters if you don’t understand the decision.
What It Means to Practice in the AI Era
Being a civil engineer today means adapting timeless principles to a new frontier, one shaped by AI. You’re not becoming a machine, you’re practicing in the AI era. That practice is still rooted in:
- Ethics
- Logic
- Clear thinking
- Communication
- Responsibility
You are the one in the loop. The machine is not responsible. You are.
A Code for Civil Engineers Working with AI
If we want to use AI seriously, we need to take ourselves seriously. Here’s a simple code for working in this new era:
- Own the decision. If something goes wrong, the machine doesn’t go to court. You do.
- Understand before you automate. Don’t use tools if you can’t explain the output.
- Teach the next generation to think, not just click.
- Use AI like an analysis software: with purpose, not blind trust.
- Preserve the craft. Engineering isn’t just output, it’s inquiry.
The Cost of Ignoring This
This isn’t optional. If we as an industry don’t take the time to understand this shift and shape how AI is used we open ourselves up to serious risk. Because in a world where AI can do more, it takes less understanding to do more damage. Without clear boundaries, without a shared professional standard, we invite:
- Misuse by those without proper training
- Design errors that go unchecked
- Ethical lines crossed because no one took the time to redraw them
This isn’t about being ahead of the curve it’s about making sure the curve doesn’t collapse under us. We have a responsibility not just to adopt these tools, but to define what responsible use looks like.
Let’s define the era before it defines us.
If you would like to see me speak more about this I will be speaking June 12th at the SW Florida ASCE meeting on this topic. You can register here if you wish to attend.Â
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