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Kota Kinabalu: The Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (Acem) Sabah Branch is committed to championing forward-thinking knowledge and ensuring local professionals maintain their competitive edge during this period of rapid technological advancement.

They recently hosted a technical seminar at the IEM Sabah Training Centre in Damai, here, titled “Case Study on Usage of ChatGPT in Technical Design” where members agreed while AI has clear advantages, human expertise, judgment and accountability remain irreplaceable in the engineering profession.

Some 20 engineering professionals attended the half-day event, welcomed by Acem Branch Chairman Benny Song, who pointed out the critical need for engineers to stay current with revolutionary technologies transforming their industry.

“Professional engineers must embrace AI and engineering software, but cannot become over-reliant on them.

“These tools cannot replace sound engineering judgment, mastery of fundamental principles and the professional responsibility engineers carry when designing safe and sustainable infrastructure,” said Benny. 

RPM Engineers Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Shah Izzni Talif who is the invited speaker, spoke about his extensive experience across geotechnical, water resources and infrastructure projects both locally and internationally. 

Known for his sustainable engineering and humanitarian technical work, he demonstrated how AI, particularly ChatGPT and Large Language Models, can support engineering practice.

He showed how AI increasingly assists with technical calculations, design drafting and project documentation, while addressing concerns about engineers’ future roles.

“AI should not be viewed as a threat to our profession. It is a tool that enhances efficiency, expands creativity and allows us to concentrate on higher-value decision-making,” said Shah. 

The programme featured hands-on sessions where participants tested AI platforms for design support, technical analysis, and project communication. 

The interactive approach generated animated discussions about both AI’s potential benefits and adoption challenges in engineering.

A concluding question and answer session revealed strong interest in responsible technology use among members.