The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has called on the government to work with the country’s infrastructure industry to develop a national AI in engineering strategy.

The organisation also urged industry to work with the government on a number of areas, including establishing ethical AI governance, investing in digital skills and AI training, and enabling controlled testing and rapid adoption.

The request comes as the industry body publishes a new report which looks at how AI is transforming the UK engineering and consultancy sector.

According to ACE’s research, AI in the engineering industry has shifted from experimentation to everyday use, boosting productivity, accelerating design and analysis, and redefining professional roles across the built environment.

Rather than replacing engineers, the report found that AI is enhancing expertise and elevating the profession.

The study found that some 68 per cent of UK business leaders are increasing technology investment, which is above global averages.

The report also revealed that AI-enabled automation is lifting productivity by up to 40 per cent and reducing project overruns by as much as 25 per cent.

ACE said that engineering roles are evolving, with growing demand for AI literacy, data interpretation, ethics and professional oversight.

ACE also suggested that the government should expand apprenticeships and professional accreditation in AI.

Kate Jennings, ACE chief executive, said that AI will not replace engineers, but instead empower them to “reimagine what is possible.”

She added that the UK is at an historic inflection point and that with the right frameworks and skills, the UK could lead the world in safe, ethical and innovative engineering.

“From energy resilience to national infrastructure, our work underpins prosperity and progress – and AI is now reshaping how we deliver it,” she continued. “Our priority is ensuring technology enhances the human expertise that defines our profession, delivering lasting value for communities and the planet.”

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