Modern Engineers Embrace AI for Career Growth and Efficiency, Survey Reveals

A new report by EPAM Systems, Inc. (EPAM) and CyberMedia Research (CMR), titled "From AI to Generative AI: Insights from a Modern Engineer Survey," sheds light on the growing adoption of AI and its impact on the engineering workforce in India. The survey, conducted among over 800 engineers across eight major Indian cities, reveals a positive outlook towards AI, with:

• 62% of engineers believing AI will enhance their careers and
• 52% expecting increased productivity due to AI integration.

Key Findings:

• Automation and Efficiency: Engineers see AI as a tool to automate tedious tasks, freeing them to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of their work.
• Upskilling and Development: Over 60% of respondents reported that AI has provided them with continuous learning opportunities.
• Collaboration and Decision-Making: While AI is seen as beneficial for team communication and data-driven decision-making, seamlessly integrating it into existing workflows remains a challenge for 37%.
• Training and Support: While some engineers (41%) feel current AI training resources are insufficient, a significant majority (76%) expect their companies to offer access to learning platforms for professional development.
• Human Oversight and Explainability: Engineers emphasize the importance of human oversight and transparent decision-making processes alongside AI. They believe in following AI protocols (50%) and prefer Explainable AI (56%).

Future of Engineering with AI:

The report highlights the transformative potential of AI in engineering, but also acknowledges concerns about job displacement. While some roles may become obsolete, new ones are expected to emerge, focused on areas like AI/ML model monitoring, data analysis, and cross-functional teamwork.

Elaina Shekhter, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at EPAM: "We see AI as a game-changer for modern engineers... By equipping our engineers to become AI collaborators, not competitors, we will be able to unlock a new era of innovation and efficiency."

Srinivas Reddy, Managing Director at EPAM India: "Companies need to bridge the knowledge gap and equip our engineers with the skills and support they need to thrive in the AI era... AI should not be seen as a replacement but, as a powerful tool that can elevate the work our engineers do."

The EPAM survey underscores the need for continuous learning and development programs to help engineers adapt and thrive in the AI-powered future of engineering.