Digitalisation in my own field of expertise
Hello, welcome to read my blog! I am a bridge design engineer. In my work, I use a variety of digital applications, software and services. Nowadays, I primarily work from home, but I also regularly visit the office to meet with colleagues. Due to remote work, a crucial digital tool for me is email. A reasonably significant part of my tasks involves reading and writing emails. It is a fundamental application that allows me to stay in touch with coworkers and clients. In addition to email, I use the Teams application daily, which is also a communication tool. Modern communication solutions enable me to work without being tied to a specific location or address. I would also like to mention the digital time tracking system that I use to log working hours for the projects I am involved in.
My responsibilities include creating and analyzing structural models and calculations for bridges. I use the LUSAS program for structural models applying FEM, Finite Element Method, theory. For structural calculations, I flexibly use software such as Mathcad and Excel spreadsheet application. For producing construction plans, I use tools like AutoCAD, which is suitable for technical drawing. Although creating building information models is not part of my daily job, it is still essential for me to understand the basics, as my work involves reviewing plans created by others. In projects based on building information modeling, drawings are not separately produced for the contractor. Instead, the construction plan practically consists of the building information model and supporting documents. I also mention a digital register maintained by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, where all essential information regarding bridges is gathered, coded and modeled. In summary, the digital applications I use require diligence from the designer and reliability from internet connections to ensure the proper design, construction, maintenance and repair of bridges throughout their entire design life time.
I estimate that the potential benefits provided by digital tools will increase in the future. They will be increasingly used in the near future because they can further enhance work efficiency. The digitization and electrification of society are progressing rapidly, and the pace of change does not seem to be slowing down. One interesting possibility is the widespread application of artificial intelligence in various aspects of work and life. AI is unlikely to completely replace human work. Perhaps in the near future, we can delegate routine tasks to AI, which doesn’t mind the monotony of such assignments. At the same time, we can focus on tasks that are generally more suitable for humans than machines. Human abilities, such as imagination, creativity, collaboration, communication, empathy, ability to understand meanings and capacity to grasp contexts, are unique to humans and therefore well-suited for tasks requiring these qualities. Humans can imagine things that may not yet exist. Maybe in the future, we will use AI so extensively in all areas of life that we will not pay more attention to it than, for example, the air we breathe.
Risks of open digital society
The open digital society entails real risks, which the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) aims to address. It establishes common rules within the framework of the digital operational culture for individuals, businesses and organizations. One significant reform is that the GDPR enhances individual privacy in an open digital society. Additionally, it reinforces individuals’ ownership rights over their data, marking a significant step towards a better cybersecurity culture. Due to the regulation, individuals gain more control over issues related to their information. Similarly, with the cybersecurity regulation, companies and organizations must invest in secure practices and systems. This directly impacts costs, for instance, organizations are required to openly report data breaches. Negative effects may impede new innovations and the development of new technologies.
In my own organization, the impact of the cybersecurity regulation is tangible. I have the right and obligation to participate in educational sessions organized by my employer, addressing the practical application of the general cybersecurity regulation in everyday situations. By regularly attending cybersecurity training, I receive up-to-date information on how to act securely and handle materials related to my work safely in all situations. Thus, I consider the freedoms and responsibilities outlined in the general cybersecurity regulation as essential components of the rapidly evolving digital operating environment. Therefore, GDPR is a critically important part of my work, as a bridge design engineer in an organization whose expertise and actions contribute to ensuring the society’s security of supply.
Artificial intelligence
ChatGPT is a fascinating artificial intelligence application that operates online. It is continually developed using diverse text datasets. This AI model learns by engaging in conversations with real people and can also learn from feedback provided by users of the service. While the online ChatGPT service is commonly referred to as artificial intelligence, it is a language model that convincingly mimics human language use. Nevertheless, it is crucial to note a significant difference between machines and humans. Humans understand the meanings of words and concepts. In contrast, an AI service merely calculates, whether it is solving a mathematical problem, analyzing text or creating an artistic image. AI solves everything through calculations, but humans can be innovative and creative. It is important to have a deep understanding of things.
It appears that ChatGPT provides a useful answer to questions related to my profession, which is bridge design engineering, only when the question is sufficiently simple, general and superficial. Let’s take an example. It can define quite well what a bridge is. However, it does not define a bridge comprehensively like an engineer would. So, while ChatGPT can describe a bridge as a structure that enables crossing an obstacle, which is entirely true, this does not constitute a comprehensive definition of a bridge. Moreover, it does not specify the type or size of the obstacle being crossed. It is evident that a small stream or ditch doesn’t require a bridge.
I notice that ChatGPT can solve problems in strength of materials and statics with varying success. It can, for instance, solve simple equations. However, in solving verbally described mathematical problems, it is quite an unreliable partner for now. For example, it might partially solve forces in a simple beam structure. It can derive a formula for calculating bending moment, but it completely miscalculates shear force while presenting the solution as correct information. Based on my observations, the information generated by the AI model is uncertain when it comes to solving problems that require computation and in-depth understanding.
I find it concerning that the ChatGPT artificial intelligence model provides an answer even when it doesn’t actually know if the solution is anywhere near correct. It just calculates precisely what it is programmed to do. It cannot assess the accuracy of the information, question or be critically thoughtful in a healthy way like a human expert. It does not admit when it doesn’t know the answer. It does not express a commitment to further investigate and return with more accurate information. Therefore, AI can provide a solution that seems superficially credible, but instead of reliable information, it may offer entirely incorrect information as a solution to the problem. Of course, it does not act maliciously in this way. However, when a human doesn’t know the answer, they usually admit it. A real experts, if uncertain, would remain silent or explore the topic further. They would weigh available data, filter useful information from the data flood and present the most viable solutions from various alternatives. For now, a machine cannot do this.
Based on my experiences, I do not recommend using the ChatGPT service extensively for bridge design engineering. Bridges require specialized knowledge that is best entrusted to knowledgeable humans. Firstly, the answers provided by AI are often too generalized to be genuinely useful. Secondly, the machine provides an answer, whether it is right or wrong. The responsibility for fact-checking thus falls heavily on the user of the AI service. In my field, artificial intelligence could possibly be applied to generating texts, especially when the intention is to create a construction plan description for a bridge. I emphasize that AI should be a tool used by humans, not a replacement where the machine becomes the true creator instead of a human.
Self-evaluation
I have learned that an open digital society has both advantages and disadvantages. The progression of digitization seems to be an inevitable scenario for the future. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to how the digital transition is implemented fairly, equitably and human-centered. The digitalization of society affects people differently. Programmable tasks are likely to shift to the agenda of artificial intelligence. Older people may find it challenging to keep up with the accelerating pace of development. Artificial intelligence is likely to handle various assisting tasks in the near future. This may manifest in a way that the proliferation of artificial intelligence affects some more than others. This may manifest in a way that negatively impacts certain individuals, as AI can perform specific tasks more efficiently than humans. So, how are the practical considerations of equality taken into account?
Social media platforms and services often do not seem to work in the best interest of people. They are designed to addict the users. While gaining visibility and likes feels pretty good, social media simultaneously transforms interpersonal interaction into something completely different from genuine face-to-face communication. In social media, visibility is easily gained by publishing something that evokes strong emotions and reactions. Emotional reactions often override facts and realities. As artificial intelligence becomes more widespread, it may become increasingly difficult for people to discern whether a publication, thought or even an image is created by a human or generated by AI. Therefore, media literacy is an essential skill in the open digital society. AI can be used for good, but unfortunately, it can also be used to spread fake news, misinformation and hate speech. What is real and reliable anyway? What is the truth? Will there be an ongoing, intensifying struggle in the future to determine what is true and who gets to define it? In connection to these questions, I would like to explore the topic more deeply. At the same time, I ask myself, do I really want to know the answer?
Comments
I shared my comments on the following blogs.
Comment 1: Hello, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I noticed your perspective on the changing nature of work as digitalization advances rapidly. I believe I have similar experiences with this transformation, which has occurred relatively quickly in recent years. In my opinion, digital platforms and services bring a comfortable sense of freedom to both work and study. Personally, I prefer remote meetings whenever virtual collaboration is possible. Nowadays, I predominantly work from home. Bridge design engineering works well even from home. It used to feel strange, but now it seems completely normal. I appreciate the fact that, instead of traveling, work is not tightly bound to a specific location. If you are interested, you can check out my blog at https://blogi.savonia.fi/jarmolampimaki.
Comment 2: Hey! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on your blog. I found it interesting to read about your experiences in the digital transformation. You have witnessed many things changing throughout your life. You must have valuable experience that many may never acquire. You have seen a different world where digitalization was only a vision of the future. Therefore, you have a lot to tell us. Keep up the good work. It’s great that you can also work remotely when needed. This undoubtedly brings flexibility and freedom to your work. I don’t know what you think about the change in attitudes towards work in recent years. In my experience, remote work has only become genuinely accepted as a way of working in the last few years. If you’re interested, you can check out my blog at https://blogi.savonia.fi/jarmolampimaki.
Hi, good and tought-provoking post.
It is very interesting to read about how digitalization is utilized in one’s own work from different professionals than myself. When reading, you understand that digitization or artificial intelligence cannot replace people, in any field. You can get help and facilitation to do the work, but the final responsibility for doing the work and correctness rests with the person.
Building bridges and health care are far apart, but I recognized your concerns and challenges regarding the use of artificial intelligence. In the building of bridges, just as in the care of patients, artificial intelligence cannot be given too much decision-making power. When a machine becomes a creator instead of a human – well said.