The Impact of AI on the Engineering Industry In 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaking up the engineering world, bringing both game-changing opportunities and some serious challenges and it is forcing the industry to adapt in real-time. We want to take a look at the good, the bad, and the unpredictable when it comes to AI’s immediate influence on engineering, especially in the UK defence sector.

We decided to write an article about AI’s impact on engineering after reading a recent article by John Hopkins School of Engineering. Well, also because we help clients in the sector.

As the article above mentions, “Engineers already play an increasingly pivotal role in harnessing AI to tackle evolving global challenges and foster advancements in science and technology.” And we want to emphasise the importance of seeing AI as a helpful tool, rather than something that can replace engineers and supportability consultant.

One of our consultants, Richard has developed specific AI models to help streamline internal processes which has aided in reducing time spent on mundane tasks, meaning we can spend more time on the more crucial elements of a work package. We have not removed the human element.

We want to use AI to help deliver better quality work rather than taking a “More-and faster” approach. That said, let’s jump into the article.

Is Using AI in Engineering Risky?

While AI can revolutionise engineering, its implementation comes with several challenges that must be carefully managed.

  • Security: AI systems process vast amounts of data, making them prime targets for cyberattacks. If security measures are inadequate, sensitive engineering data and intellectual property could be at risk.
  • Accuracy: AI is only as reliable as the data it learns from. If trained on incomplete or biased data, AI models can produce incorrect results, leading to flawed engineering designs and operational failures.
  • Transparency: – Many AI models, especially deep learning algorithms, function as “black boxes,” meaning their decision-making processes are not always clear. This lack of transparency can make it difficult to identify errors or justify AI-driven recommendations.
  • Regulatory Compliance: – Engineering industries, especially in defence, aerospace, and infrastructure, operate under strict regulations. AI solutions must comply with these standards, and any failure to do so could result in legal and operational challenges.
  • Ethical Considerations: AI-driven automation in engineering can raise ethical concerns, particularly around accountability. If an AI system makes an incorrect decision that leads to safety issues, determining responsibility can be complex.
  • Dependence on Data Quality: AI models require large, high-quality datasets. If data sources are incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent, the AI system may produce unreliable outcomes, negatively impacting engineering decisions.

Managing these risks requires a balanced approach—leveraging AI’s benefits while ensuring robust security, regulatory compliance, and human oversight. Using an in-house AI model is the best start to ensuring your safety.

Boosting Efficiency with Automation

AI is streamlining engineering processes in ways that would have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. In 2025, machine learning is playing a central role in helping supportability consultants with predictive maintenance, helping to forecast equipment failures before they happen more accurately.

This is particularly valuable in defence, where AI-powered simulations allow engineers to test equipment virtually, reducing reliance on expensive and time-consuming physical prototypes.

That said, putting too much faith in AI can be risky. Automated systems remain vulnerable to cyber threats, and over-reliance on algorithms could mean engineers miss potential flaws. The challenge in 2025 is finding the right balance, and embracing automation without compromising security or oversight.

Smarter, Faster Design

In 2025, AI-driven analysis is pushing sustainable engineering forward, helping industries reduce waste and improve efficiency.

However, there is a growing concern that engineers relying too heavily on AI-generated solutions might lose out on the creative problem-solving that defines the profession.

When data becomes the main driver of design, human ingenuity risks being sidelined. The key in 2025 is using AI as a tool, not a crutch, enhancing human skills rather than replacing them.

AI and Supportability: A Double-Edged Sword

From a Supportability Consultant’s perspective, AI is transforming through-life support strategies. Predictive analytics in 2025 allow for highly accurate failure forecasting, shifting maintenance from reactive to proactive. AI-driven logistics management is also optimising supply chains, ensuring that spare parts and resources are in place exactly when needed, reducing costly downtime.

Supportability Consultants play a crucial role in ensuring AI enhances rather than replaces the human oversight needed in defence and engineering industries.

The Vital Role of Supportability Consultants in an AI-Driven 2025

Quorum Integrated Logistics Support LTD is on your team

Supportability Consultants are more essential than ever. Our expertise in balancing technological advancements with practical, real-world applications ensures that AI-driven solutions remain reliable, efficient, and secure. We act as the crucial link between cutting-edge AI tools and the operational needs of engineering teams, preventing disruptions caused by unforeseen system failures or mismanaged resources.

Supportability Consultants also play a key role in risk assessment and mitigation. By carefully analysing AI-driven maintenance strategies, we can identify potential blind spots that automation might miss, ensuring that human intuition and experience remain integral to decision-making processes. At Quorum, our involvement is essential in maintaining the long-term sustainability and resilience of AI-integrated engineering operations.

Ultimately, in 2025, Supportability Consultants act as guardians of both efficiency and reliability, ensuring that technological progress aligns with real-world needs rather than replacing critical human oversight.

Engineering Projects With AI Integration in 2025

Before we get to the end, here are several engineering projects in 2025 are harnessing AI to drive innovation and efficiency:

Baker Hughes’ AI Integration in the Energy Sector:

Baker Hughes is leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiencies in the energy industry. Through its collaboration with C3.ai and Microsoft Azure, the company employs predictive analytics to optimise oil and gas operations, improving reliability and production.

GE Aerospace’s ‘Wingmate’ AI Tool: GE Aerospace, in collaboration with Microsoft, has introduced an AI tool named “Wingmate” to enhance productivity among its 52,000 employees. This AI assists in summarising data, resolving quality issues, and drafting communications, thereby streamlining operations within the aerospace sector

SandboxAQ’s AI-Driven Navigation Systems:

SandboxAQ, a startup originating from Alphabet’s labs, is developing AI-based navigation systems that utilise quantum magnetometers and AI to interpret the Earth’s magnetic field. This technology aims to provide more accurate navigation solutions, serving as a potential alternative to traditional GPS systems.

What’s Next for AI in Engineering in 2025?

AI is already reshaping engineering, with innovations like digital twins—virtual replicas of physical systems—becoming more advanced and widely adopted. AI-driven analytics are allowing organisations to fine-tune operations in real-time, improving both performance and sustainability.

However, the industry must continue to approach AI with caution. Engineers, business leaders, and policymakers must work together to ensure AI is used responsibly. In 2025, the focus is not just on how AI can push the industry forward, but also on ensuring that these advancements remain ethical, secure, and aligned with human expertise.

Book an informal chat with Shaun And let Quorum take care of your ILS needs, allowing you to focus on your core operations with complete peace of mind.

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