2 answers
Sumedha
Student
Little Elm, Texas
5
Questions
Asked
740 views
How do you think advancements in AI and machine learning will impact aerospace engineering in the next decade?
I'm currently a junior in high school who is an aspiring aerospace engineer. I'm aware that we are becoming more and more dependent on AI each day, but I am interested in learning how this will become prevalent/how it might impact jobs by the time I'm out of college and job hunting.
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2 answers
Feranmi Orunmuyiwa
Product manager/Scrum master
3
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Feranmi’s Answer
That’s a great question! AI is already making a huge impact in aerospace engineering, and by the time you graduate college—likely in the early 2030s—its role will be even bigger
How AI Might Impact Aerospace Jobs
Job Evolution, Not Replacement – AI will likely augment engineering roles rather than replace them. Engineers will use AI tools to improve their work rather than be replaced by them.
New Career Opportunities – As AI becomes more important, new jobs will emerge, such as AI-driven aerospace system engineers, autonomous flight specialists, and AI-driven spacecraft designers.
Shift in Required Skills – Future aerospace engineers will need a blend of traditional engineering skills (fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, etc.) and AI-related knowledge, like machine learning, data analysis, and automation.
More Interdisciplinary Work – The line between software, AI, and aerospace engineering will blur, so knowing some coding (Python, MATLAB, C++) and AI basics will be a huge plus.
How You Can Prepare Now
Learn Programming – Python and MATLAB are widely used in aerospace AI applications.
Take AI & Data Science Courses – Even a basic understanding of machine learning can set you apart.
Follow Industry Trends – Keep an eye on what companies like SpaceX, NASA, Boeing, and startups are doing with AI.
Get Hands-On Experience – Join robotics clubs, work on UAV projects, or intern in aerospace/AI research.
By the time you enter the workforce, AI will be deeply embedded in aerospace, but human engineers will still be crucial. Your best bet? Become the type of engineer who knows how to use AI effectively rather than compete with it!
How AI Might Impact Aerospace Jobs
Job Evolution, Not Replacement – AI will likely augment engineering roles rather than replace them. Engineers will use AI tools to improve their work rather than be replaced by them.
New Career Opportunities – As AI becomes more important, new jobs will emerge, such as AI-driven aerospace system engineers, autonomous flight specialists, and AI-driven spacecraft designers.
Shift in Required Skills – Future aerospace engineers will need a blend of traditional engineering skills (fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, etc.) and AI-related knowledge, like machine learning, data analysis, and automation.
More Interdisciplinary Work – The line between software, AI, and aerospace engineering will blur, so knowing some coding (Python, MATLAB, C++) and AI basics will be a huge plus.
How You Can Prepare Now
Learn Programming – Python and MATLAB are widely used in aerospace AI applications.
Take AI & Data Science Courses – Even a basic understanding of machine learning can set you apart.
Follow Industry Trends – Keep an eye on what companies like SpaceX, NASA, Boeing, and startups are doing with AI.
Get Hands-On Experience – Join robotics clubs, work on UAV projects, or intern in aerospace/AI research.
By the time you enter the workforce, AI will be deeply embedded in aerospace, but human engineers will still be crucial. Your best bet? Become the type of engineer who knows how to use AI effectively rather than compete with it!
Patrick Phillips
screenwriter
12
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Hi, Sumedha! Great answer here already. How will AI affect jobs in aerospace? Hm. I think, to start with...
1. Heavy computations. The usual; plots, calculations, etc. Think warehouses full of Cray-like machines doing the heavy lifting. Leaving future AI to work with...
2. More nuanced computations. Okay. Now, machines aren't just doing; there's a wee bit of critical thinking involved. Almost behavior like, which leads us to...
3. Machine Behavior. I don't know if this is real term or not but eventually, we're going to have to teach machines to behave, not just to learn. That's a big leap. Think psychology and language master's at work in this area. Interpretations of concepts, all moving at light speed. Brings us to...
4. Data Sciences. I think humans will have to continue to teach machines how to interpret the data. So much data. How to store it, analyze it, unpack it, apply it, etc. Always evolving, out in front of AI as we build things.
5. Travel & Biology Experts. Aerospace is about exploring new places and building new things. AI is far off from understanding and empathizing with multiple scenarios and coming up with a group conscious decision... what should we build next? Where should we go next? Those are not machine questions just yet :). That's really a human-only question, but one the machines can help us with.
Hope this helps. Good luck, Sumedha!
Best,
Patrick
1. Heavy computations. The usual; plots, calculations, etc. Think warehouses full of Cray-like machines doing the heavy lifting. Leaving future AI to work with...
2. More nuanced computations. Okay. Now, machines aren't just doing; there's a wee bit of critical thinking involved. Almost behavior like, which leads us to...
3. Machine Behavior. I don't know if this is real term or not but eventually, we're going to have to teach machines to behave, not just to learn. That's a big leap. Think psychology and language master's at work in this area. Interpretations of concepts, all moving at light speed. Brings us to...
4. Data Sciences. I think humans will have to continue to teach machines how to interpret the data. So much data. How to store it, analyze it, unpack it, apply it, etc. Always evolving, out in front of AI as we build things.
5. Travel & Biology Experts. Aerospace is about exploring new places and building new things. AI is far off from understanding and empathizing with multiple scenarios and coming up with a group conscious decision... what should we build next? Where should we go next? Those are not machine questions just yet :). That's really a human-only question, but one the machines can help us with.
Hope this helps. Good luck, Sumedha!
Best,
Patrick