Richard Okiasi, Team Lead of Fasthire Services, has advised engineers to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and apply it to their work to avoid being left behind. He made this call during a guest lecture at the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) PH branch's September general meeting and Technical Evening. The event, attended by over 100 engineers, aimed to expose members to the latest technological trends.
Okiasi's presentation, titled "Future-Proofing Your Engineering Career in an Era of AI," examined the impact of AI on engineering practice and the future of work. He described AI as an engineering achievement that can increase productivity from 1 to 100. Okiasi emphasized that AI will not replace engineers but warned that those who do not understand it may be displaced by others who do.
Belema Fubara Ekine, chairman of NSE PH, welcomed the event as an opportunity to sensitize and expose members to emerging technologies. He highlighted the importance of empowering engineers in Port Harcourt to remain relevant in their field. The event provided a platform for engineers to engage with the latest technological trends and innovations.
Okiasi noted that engineers have always been at the forefront of innovations that expand the boundaries of reality. He encouraged them to take an active role in understanding AI, emphasizing that it exists to make work easier. The future of work, according to Okiasi, is already here, with significant disruption beginning around 2020.
The presentation also touched on the importance of professional relevance in the era of AI. Okiasi stressed that tangible results, innovative thinking, and proven capability are increasingly determining professional relevance, rather than years of experience or certificates alone. This shift in the job market underscores the need for engineers to adapt to emerging technologies.
Fasthire Services is looking forward to partnering with NSE PH to help engineers access and secure job opportunities. Okiasi, who is also the organizer of CareerFest, a multi-part job fair, aims to bridge the gap between engineers and job opportunities. The collaboration between Fasthire and NSE PH highlights the growing importance of connecting professional development with emerging technologies.
The technical session was followed by interactive contributions, professional engagements, and networking. The event concluded with the presentation of a certificate to Okiasi in recognition of his insightful address on AI and the future of engineering. The partnership between Fasthire and NSE PH is expected to equip engineers with the skills needed to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Key points
- Engineers urged to adopt AI to remain relevant in their field
- Fasthire partners with NSE PH to help engineers access job opportunities
- AI adoption crucial for professional relevance in the engineering field
