Engineers Ireland research finds majority believe greater regulation of AI is required

Over four in five (83%) people believe greater regulation is required around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to protect public safety, according to research commissioned by Engineers Ireland, the national representative body for the engineering profession.

In the same survey, which was conducted by Interactions Research using a representative sample of over 1,000 adults,  more than two thirds (66%) expressed concerns about AI’s future impact on jobs, but a majority (61%) agreed that AI is beneficial for performing more routine tasks.

20% of respondents say said that they currently use AI tools in their jobs, with this group identifying large language models, like Chat GPT, being relied on for content creation. The cohort adopting AI into their daily work routine were less likely to be concerned about the potential of AI replacing jobs and a need for further regulation.

Other Technologies

Respondents were also survey about their attitudes towards other emergent areas of technology.  Almost two in three (65%) said that they believe the use of robotics to be useful alternatives to humans in the performance of routine or dangerous work, while just under half (48%) said they were concerned about the potential of robots to negatively impact the jobs market.

On the subject of Ireland’s role in space exploration, sentiment close to half (42%) said they believed that Ireland should play a larger role here. Furthermore, 35% of respondents supported the future development of a dedicated Irish space agency to conduct research and participate in European space projects.

The results come as Engineers Ireland commences a drive at this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois to show members of the public, educators and career guidance advisors the breadth of the contribution of engineering to society. The representative body will be on site with a number of advanced engineered products and exhibitions to demonstrate the career opportunities associated with engineering and encourage interest and awareness amongst underrepresented groups in the profession.

The Engineers Ireland exhibition at the National Ploughing Championships will display an autonomous robot dog, Setanta, which works at construction sites conducting laser scans to identify deviations from construction plans; a robotic arm, equipped with AI, that can play Xs and Os with humans; and an opportunity for attendees to try on replica space suits and visit space through virtual reality.

Commenting on the findings, Director General of Engineers Ireland, Damien Owens, said: “The results of this research show that, while new technologies like AI and robotics carry considerable benefits across many industries, we must ensure that their implementation in the workplace is appropriately safeguarded.

“While the benefits of AI are apparent and it should become part of our work toolsets, there is an onus on both industry and regulators to address the concerns of the public meaningfully.”

Engineers Ireland’s exhibition at the National Ploughing Championships will be open to the public to visit from 17th – 19th September. The representative body also has a number of resources available on its website for teachers, career guidance counsellors, parents and students as part of its STEPS Programme, accessible at www.engineersireland.ie/schools.

A podcast with Damien Owens can be heard here.