Abstract
As AI becomes more mainstream each day, its use is producing drastic changes to the learning and work environments. This change causes this question to arise: How can incoming new-hires and early-career professionals navigate the emerging technologies that are producing rapid change in existing work environments? It causes concern in learning spheres, as many are unsure what it looks like to embrace AI as technology to stay without allowing it to become a crutch. Also, with new AI tools being used to transform job requirements and tasks, it is apparent that a potential problem is arising. These new developments increase uncertainty of job opportunities and raise many questions about what the new work environment will look like. Although the uncertainty may not leave, I believe it is important to equip those with current or upcoming opportunities with the proper skills to capitalize on it and make the most of it. My socio-technical problem looks at the disruptiveness of generative ai in learning and work spaces and my technical problem addresses how students can be unprepared for internships and therefore not maximize the most of the experience. These problems help to not only ease some uncertainty about the presence of AI in our spaces, but also equip students and early professionals with the skills to thrive in our rapidly changing environment.
As stated before, my STS topic dives deep into AI as a disruptive technology and looks at how its speed of diffusion into different spaces causes a cultural lag, and results in learning spaces and work environments not properly equipped for change. I looked into the dangers of AI in learning and work environments and searched for the implications of its use, through peer-reviewed articles and studies, while also pulling from current events such as the Crowdstrike incident (Banjaree, 2024). I also looked into the social and ethical implication of AI in work and school environments, and explored the different questions it can raise. Lastly, I looked at past technologies, examining the diffusion of them and what was done to address the cultural lag that was created. I found that a lack of regulation and proper attention to AI in these different spaces can cause many problems such as a lack of deep understanding for material, resulting in subpar work that may not be fully understood. So due to those threats, it is necessary to provide regulations and standards similar to other technologies like calculators and laptops that have their use postponed for harder material.
Engineering students can be unprepared for internships and jobs due to lack of information and tools available to shed more light on how to maximize the experience and apply yourself well. This is harmful because it results in many students not gaining the skills needed to translate the information they receive into practical use. My technical topic addressed a gap in preparedness for internship and job opportunities by providing helpful tips from experience, and also detailing my experience as an intern and explaining how I made the most of it. I first talked about my approach to the internship and coming in with a game plan and goal in mind. I then proceeded to talk about how I interacted with others in the company and made connections. In addition, I talked about how I made myself stand out by using prioritization skills to maximize my time. I believe these tips serve as a great guide for anyone going into an internship and trying to make the most out of their opportunities.
These problems are significant because they address the uncertainty that students and professionals are dealing with now, while also shedding light on the duality of AI as a tool and also a problem. Although I talked about two sides of the problem, that being the emerging new technology and general preparedness for the role, I do think there is still much more to address. I believe there can be more talk and research about how to utilize AI to your advantage in the learning and work space, instead of just seeing it as a threat or harm to current systems. There can also be more exploration on how AI can be used to better prepare candidates for an upcoming role and even help them in that role.
I would like to thank Professor Wylie for her wonderful guidance and feedback to help me complete this paper. I would also like to thank my mentors at Kimley-Horn that made my internship experience very enjoyable.
