How AI Tools Like ChatGPT Are Revolutionizing Engineering

AI-based tools like ChatGPT are rapidly transforming the landscape of engineering and software development. I was first introduced to ChatGPT by a friend in the US about a year ago. Although I had heard about generative AI and ChatGPT before, I never felt compelled to explore it. There was a lot of chatter about how it might take away jobs, but I didn’t pay much attention. My initial response to such claims was to compare it with Google, which has been around for over 20 years without eliminating jobs. I thought the same would be true for ChatGPT.

However, my friend insisted that I give it a try. He was technically savvy, and I trusted his judgment, so I decided to experiment with ChatGPT. Since then, there’s been no turning back. Just as Google became a permanent fixture on my system, ChatGPT now has its own dedicated window as well.

Indeed, ChatGPT is a powerful tool, but it is just that—a tool. To explain its impact quantitatively: as a software engineer, whenever I encountered a problem, I used to turn to Google, which would return 10-15 links, often with the solution buried somewhere within them. Typically, it took around 15-20 minutes to find the answer. ChatGPT, however, has taken this process a step further by providing a specific, targeted answer to the question posed, saving me those precious 20 minutes per problem. However, it’s worth noting that, from a programming perspective, ChatGPT is not infallible. There have been times when it provided incorrect solutions, and I had to fall back on Google or Stack Overflow for the right answer.

ChatGPT and Google both operate based on publicly available information on the internet. If you ask about a concept for which little data is available, ChatGPT might not provide the correct answer. It's essential to remember that the machine itself isn't intelligent; it's the data that makes it appear so.

The time-saving aspect of ChatGPT is undeniable, and in today’s fast-paced world, time is invaluable. I firmly believe that any task that is rule-based will eventually be automated, and AI tools like ChatGPT are accelerating this automation. In the current software development landscape, many activities—such as programming, testing, documentation, UI design, code generation, and reverse engineering—are rule-based and are becoming prime candidates for automation.

We must all be mentally prepared for the fact that anything rule-based will be automated. There should be no doubt about this inevitability.

Let me share a glimpse of how ChatGPT is aiding entrepreneurs. Recently, I was working on a super app that took nearly two years to develop with over 10 developers involved. A few months ago, we decided to pivot the entire technology stack for this product. With the help of ChatGPT, I was able to complete this transition in just four months with half the manpower.

In the last six months, I’ve seen 5-6 people in my network lose their jobs. They were primarily involved in programming, graphic design, and support—areas where manpower requirements have decreased due to AI tools like ChatGPT. While this may seem daunting, I believe it will also create new opportunities, provided that people are willing to adapt and transform.

I’m particularly pleased that ChatGPT and generative AI have shaken many out of their complacency. The biggest wake-up call has been for corporations, followed by academia, and finally engineers themselves. All of them must evolve if they want to remain relevant in this rapidly changing landscape.