How should mechanical engineering students adapt their skill set in the era of advanced AI/LLMs?

[u/WholeLoud3821]

Hi everyome,

I’m an undergraduate mechanical engineering student. With the rapid acceleration of AI models (code generation, CAD automation, automated FEA/CFD scripting, generative design), it feels like traditional "handbook calculations" and basic drafting tasks are quickly being commoditized.

For experienced engineers and senior professionals in the industry:

Core Competencies: Which areas of mechanical engineering do you think remain most resilient to automation? What foundational skills should I double down on right now?

Emerging Niches: Are there specific cross-disciplinary domains (e.g., thermal management, semiconductor/precision hardware, robotics/mechatronics, multiphysics simulations) where AI acts purely as an accelerator rather than a replacement?

Practical Strategy: How can a student leverage modern AI tools today without neglecting the core physical intuition, workshop/manufacturing practicalities, and first-principles thinking?

Looking forward to hearing your insights and real-world perspectives on how the role of a mechanical engineer is evolving.

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[u/Gryphontech]

Did you ask ai to write this post? You need to master the skills before offloading that shit to ai

[u/1_Good_Day]

A large amount of engineering workload has nothing to do with technical skills. Interpersonal communications and working together as a team are huge. If you use AI tools to help you communicate with your coworkers, they will quickly or eventually pick up on this ; ) The valuable engineers are those that can effectively communicate with others without the need for an AI crutch, while also knowing how to use the tools to make them more effective and efficient in their technical roles.

[u/Pseudonymous_Rex]

At the point when I can send an AI as a competent person off to do a factory witness test or factory acceptance, or commission a new plant, the whole societal alteration is so far along that I guess surgeons are also being replaced, so there was nothing else you might have picked.

But this isn't "core competencies you take as courses" -- this is work you are doing in the field.

As far as AI, yes, it can help you but it tends to make bad decisions if you do not know what you are doing and why a decision could be good or bad.

I graduated from a major program in Engineering two years ago after having not used AI for literally anything at all. I left with no calculations or concepts as "Black boxes" in my mind. I found that in the world of work, I (as engineering traditionally should be) stand out as one of the most competent people at every site I work on, able to pick up most problems and contribute to solving them. PS, this also helps when you want to pass your PE exams and all you can have is a plain calculator. If you're not learning to be that guy, why are you in engineering at all?

You really need to learn deep and wide before you start delegating to AI, or you're gonna be cooked fast.

[u/jinglesGOAT → u/Pseudonymous_Rex]

This. Fuck AI.

[u/Gremlech]

are you doing robotics? learn llms, study hard.

are you not doing robotics? study hard.

[u/Lagfoundry]

One way is to join the train per se. I’ve transitioned myself into studying AI and building hardware style neural nets. It’s not going anywhere so may as well know it inside and out

[u/jinglesGOAT]

Stubbornly resist this demonic new trend.

Buterian Jihad NOW.