How AI, IoT, and Data Science Are Shaping Tomorrow’s Engineers

As the world plunges into the era of Industry 4.0, the need for evolution in engineering education has become more important than ever. Technologies like AI, IoT, and data science are revolutionizing how many industries work, and the engineering workforce will certainly be busy navigating this ever-changing landscape.

Yet at most universities, engineering curricula often seem to have failed to keep pace with technological developments.

Educational institutions need to rethink their strategy around pedagogy, hands-on learning, interdisciplinary approaches and intensive collaboration with industry leaders to remain relevant and produce industry-ready graduates.

BRINGING THE SKILLS GAP

Girija Kolagada, vice president of engineering at Progress Software, highlights a key issue in engineering education: “As technology rapidly evolves, curricula often lag behind the latest advances, leaving students unable to enter the workforce equipped with the skills employers need.” Integrating new technologies into curricula will be critical to building a workforce that can meet the needs of Industry 4.0.

Artificial intelligence, IoT, and data science are no longer niche areas of research; they are rapidly growing backbones of industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, finance, etc.

“Students need more hands-on, hands-on learning in AI, IoT and data science through lab work, internships and real-world projects to prepare them to build the technology that businesses will need tomorrow,” Kolagada adds.

Thanks to this practical approach, students will not only acquire theoretical knowledge, but will also be able to apply acquired skills to solve real-world problems.

COOPERATION BETWEEN ACADEMIC AND INDUSTRY

One way to keep engineering education relevant is through collaboration between universities and industry.

Kartik Ayalh, Director, Technology Delivery and Operations, MassMutual India, explains, “As industry leaders, we need to ensure that students are prepared to create solutions that impact current problems, right from the early days of their careers.”

Ayalh emphasizes that partnerships between academic institutions and industry are essential to creating curricula that reflect current market needs. Ayalh’s experience at MassMutual India shows the potential of such collaborations. The company’s Campus Outreach Committee works closely with universities to develop curricula aligned with industry requirements.

“We work with these institutions to provide our expertise as industry leaders, develop a curriculum aligned with industry requirements, and help students choose the right technology platforms and projects,” says Ayalh. This approach ensures that students are well-prepared to enter the workforce, equipped with both the knowledge and practical experience needed to succeed in fields driven by AI, IoT, and data science.

THE ROLE OF AI AND GenAI IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION

Artificial intelligence, especially generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), is changing the way engineers approach problem-solving and innovation.

Biju Davis, Vice President of Engineering at Model N, shares his perspective on the role of AI in the healthcare industry: “In the rapidly changing healthcare landscape, engineering education must integrate emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, data science, and GenAI to equip future engineers with the skills needed to drive medical innovation.” As AI-based technologies continue to advance, students must be trained to leverage these tools to create efficient, personalized, and accessible healthcare solutions.

Integrating tools like GitHub Co-pilot into engineering education also plays a significant role in increasing productivity and accelerating innovation. Davis adds, “Tools like GitHub Co-pilot revolutionize code generation, increase productivity, and optimize algorithms, enabling faster time-to-market.”

By introducing students to these tools, educators can help future engineers not only develop technical skills but also streamline design processes and bring innovations to market faster.

PREPARING T-SHAPED PROFESSIONALS FOR INDUSTRY 4.0

Rohit Nichani, president and chief business officer at Encora, believes the future of engineering lies in producing “T-shaped” professionals who possess deep expertise in their field while also possessing broad knowledge of related technologies such as data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

“In an AI-powered world, engineers will also need to be trained in GenAI tools, which will help them be more efficient and productive in their roles.”

Nichani adds that technical skills alone won’t be enough in the future. Engineers need to be systems thinkers, able to tackle interconnected challenges with a focus on ethics, adaptability and collaboration. Soft skills, such as continuous learning and cross-functional teamwork, will be as important as technical skills in navigating Industry 4.0.

EQUIPING ENGINEERS FOR THE FUTURE

Engineering education must continually evolve with the new paradigm of Industry 4.0. As AI, IoT, and data science are integral to every vertical industry, universities have the opportunity to take a dynamic and connected approach to curricula, combining technical knowledge with practical experience and collaboration with industry leaders.

The next generation of engineers must not only understand these technologies, but also develop a mindset for problem-solving and collaboration in a rapidly changing technological environment.
Strong collaboration between academia and industry will enable graduates to meet the challenges of today and seize the opportunities of tomorrow.