Research Summary: ‘It's here and we can't fight it’: engineering faculty perceptions of generative AI, student use, and the future of engineering education

A qualitative study examined engineering faculty perceptions of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and its impact on education, revealing that faculty acknowledge GenAI's capabilities in generating code, solving problems, and producing reports. The study, conducted with 16 faculty members at a U.S. research-intensive university, identified themes related to faculty perceptions of AI technology, its influence on student learning and pedagogical practices, and future visions for engineering education.

Why it matters

The emergence of generative AI tools fundamentally challenges traditional educational paradigms, particularly in technical fields where these tools can automate tasks intended for student skill development. Understanding faculty perceptions is crucial for shaping institutional responses and strategies to integrate or mitigate the impact of GenAI on curriculum design, assessment, and the future workforce readiness.

Key insights

• Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, can perform tasks traditionally used in engineering coursework, including code generation, multi-step problem-solving, and technical report writing.
• The study focused on understanding engineering faculty perceptions and responses to the integration of GenAI in education.
• Three semi-structured focus groups with 16 faculty members from a U.S. research-intensive university were conducted.
• Key themes identified include faculty perceptions of AI as a technology, its impact on student learning and teaching methods, and faculty visions for the future of engineering education.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1880863