Eduardo Mangarelli - Dean of the School of Engineering
https://youtu.be/aDGpi5wwxXo
Mangarelli highlighted the strength of engineering education in Uruguay, in both the public and private sectors, and how this positions Uruguayan professionals on the international stage.
He emphasized the importance of staying up to date on best practices, academic fundamentals, and the use of technology. He also reflected on the impact of generative artificial intelligence on education, noting that it is not only essential for students to learn how to use these tools, but also crucial to incorporate them into the teaching process.
In that regard, he noted that Universidad ORT Uruguay trained its faculty in the responsible use of AI to enhance the educational experience and prepare students for their future careers.
Dr. Claudio R. Brito - Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and President Emeritus of the IEEE Education Society
https://youtu.be/tQ3977LwoeA
Dr. Brito emphasized that engineering education is constantly evolving, precisely because engineering is the discipline that drives major changes in the world.
Unlike other professions that have an impact on individuals, engineering collectively transforms humanity by opening up new possibilities. He emphasized that artificial intelligence has greatly streamlined many processes, from organizing conferences to language learning.
In this regard, he argued that AI is not only revolutionizing engineering education but the entire education system, and that its impact will continue to grow in the coming years.
Dr. Melany M. Ciampi - Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and President of the International Institute of Education (IIE)
https://youtu.be/6bygJPB955c
Dr. Ciampi reflected on the profound changes taking place in the labor market, including in the field of education, and howartificial intelligence represents a significant transformation in the way we teach.
He noted thatengineering education is key to addressing these changes, and emphasized that AI can be a valuable tool for improving educational processes.
In his view, teachers will continue to play a vital role, not only as conveyors of knowledge, but also as mentors capable of guiding students in making decisions about their education, career, and professional future.
Dr. Martín Llamas Nistal - Professor at the University of Vigo, Spain
https://youtu.be/qv_kOgak1WY
Dr. Llamas Nistal shared his perspective on the challenge of integrating new technological tools into engineering education. He compared the current situation to the early days of the Internet, noting that we are facing a transformation that has only just begun.
He emphasized the importance of both teachers and students gaining experience in using artificial intelligence to make the most of it.
He said he was optimistic about the positive impact AI will have on education over the next five years, and noted that while there will be significant challenges, valuable solutions will also emerge.
Roberto Portillo, MSc – Head of the Teaching Assistants Department at Galileo University in Guatemala
https://youtu.be/fOzNkfpnS54
Portillo emphasized the responsibility that comes with training engineers, as they are the ones who will have to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges.
He noted that engineering education has very specific characteristics and requires educators and educational administrators to have a deep understanding of which skills to cultivate in students, such as critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Regarding the impact of artificial intelligence, he believes that it is profoundly transforming education and that it can have very positive effects.
However, he emphasized the need for educators to also receive training in the proper use of these tools in order to maximize their value and teach future engineers how to use them strategically.
Milos Manic, PhD - Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Director of the Cybersecurity Center at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), United States.
https://youtu.be/UfiVxcjwz0c
Manic emphasized that engineering education should not only focus on techniques, algorithms, and tools, but also ona critical understanding of what these technologies can do right or wrong.
He emphasized the importance of providing education at multiple levels—not only at the university level, but also for professionals who have already graduated—since technology is constantly evolving.
On the subject of artificial intelligence, he stated that it is already an integral part of our lives and that the real challenge lies not in its development, but in its ethical and responsible use.
He emphasized the need to educate the public on issues such as algorithmic justice, privacy, cybersecurity, and bias, warning that, given the current pace of technological advancement, it is no longer possible to act reactively.
In the face of this unprecedented growth, the challenge is to keep pace, both in terms of education and governance.
Rosa María Vasconcelos, PhD - Professor at the University of Minho, Portugal
https://youtu.be/_c4drpXuWUU
Dr. Vasconcelos emphasized the importance of studying how engineering is taught and learned, especially in a context of rapid technological change.
He noted that one of the main challenges will be to prepare teachers so they can properly guide those who use artificial intelligence tools, which have great potential but also pose risks.
He emphasized that engineers must develop critical thinking skills to assess the quality and accuracy of information generated by AI, distinguishing between what is useful and what is erroneous. In his view, this skill will be essential for responsibly leveraging these technologies in the professional sphere.
Gustavo Giannattasio, B.S. in Engineering, MBA – Vice President of the IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society (TEMS)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZNkhgmENOk
Giannattasio highlighted the many training opportunities currently available, particularly through free courses offered by platforms such as Coursera, edX, and the Project Management Institute (PMI), which are valuable for engineering students.
He emphasized the importance of students participating in competitions and challenges related to artificial intelligence, such as those organized by the IEEE, as they promote hands-on learning.
He noted that, while positive steps are being taken, it is necessary to accelerate the pace of AI adoption and training. Among his recommendations, he emphasized the development of critical thinking, self-discipline, and the capacity for innovation to address the challenges of AI, including the biases and errors that can arise when using these tools without question.
You might be interested in:
- "Generative AI, Education, and the Future of Engineering"
- "9th IEEE World Engineering Education Conference"