Introduction

Artificial intelligence is defined as technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and autonomy. Recently, heavy investment in the development and advancement of AI has caused it to have a growing role across many aspects of society. Increasing AI use can be seen within numerous settings, such as the classroom, the workplace, and daily life. When focusing on professional environments, many similarities can be drawn between the goals of AI and the work of professional engineers, particularly in problem-solving and decision-making. It is important to consider the ethical boundaries and questions that arise when using AI tools, especially since the tasks engineers perform are typically directly impactful on society’s safety and well-being. As the prevalence of AI increases, it is essential to recognize and understand the intensifying connections among ethics, artificial intelligence, and engineering.

Connection to STS

Topics regarding AI, ethics, and STS intersect in numerous ways. Although AI can be a very beneficial tool when completing tasks, it is still relatively new and can include mistakes. There are also mixed feelings about the role of AI in a professional setting. For those working in engineering and similar fields, ethics are extremely serious. Engineers are meant to be problem solvers, working on many projects that directly influence society. This raises the question of balancing accountability and efficiency. The decision-making surrounding AI can reflect broader societal views and priorities. All of this considered, the growing use of AI highlights how ongoing reflection will be necessary to maintain ethical responsibility and a commitment to the values held by society.

Missing Voices

Artificial intelligence tools sometimes lack a range of perspectives. The voices excluded from AI programs are still present in society, though. For example, these missing voices could include women, people of color, low-income communities, and non-technical stakeholders. This can also be related to missing voices in the engineering field. Gender is just one example of imbalances in tech spaces that can be prevalent across different careers.  From an ethical perspective, the imbalance in the information available in AI systems and the underrepresentation of smaller groups can be detrimental to society. As AI use increases in the professional world, decisions may be made that are not considerate of all people. This being said, it is important to recognize and include missing voices to create more ethical and comprehensive AI systems. By acknowledging representation gaps, AI systems and the professionals shaping them can better reflect the diversity of society as a whole.

Topic Content

Engineering and ethics provide a foundation for responsible innovation by emphasizing principles such as safety, fairness, accountability, and transparency. These principles guide engineers in designing systems that protect public well-being, minimize harm, and operate efficiently. With the rise of artificial intelligence, these ethical standards have become even more critical, as AI systems increasingly influence decisions that affect human lives. Engineers must ensure that AI technologies are not only technically effective but also socially responsible. This means aligning their work with established professional codes that prioritize honesty, integrity, and public trust.

AI introduces complex ethical challenges, such as bias, threats to privacy, and questions about decision-making and authority. For example, AI systems used in healthcare, automotive vehicles, and infrastructure can produce unintended consequences if they are not carefully designed and tested. Bias in data could possibly lead to unfair outcomes, and overreliance may reduce human oversight in serious situations. Engineers play a key role in anticipating these risks by evaluating systems, incorporating safety checks, and maintaining accountability throughout the development process. Ultimately, ethical responsibility with AI requires engineers to actively prevent harm and to be transparent about the work they are doing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the growth and development of artificial intelligence has highlighted the connection between engineering and ethics, making responsible decision-making more important than ever. As AI continues to impact professional environments and influence outcomes that directly affect society, engineers must stay focused on core ethical principles such as safety, fairness, accountability, and transparency. Addressing missing voices and acknowledging diverse perspectives can relate to both engineering and AI  and is essential for bettering systems that serve all members of society. Ultimately, the use of AI is not just a technical responsibility, but it also shows how science and technology can be connected to societal responsibilities.

References

Herkert, J., Borenstein, J., & Miller, K. (2020). The Boeing 737 MAX: Lessons for Engineering Ethics: The Boeing 737 MAX: Lessons for Engineering Ethics. Science and Engineering Ethics, 26(6), 2957–2974. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-020-00252-y

Martin, D. A., Conlon, E., & Bowe, B. (2021). A Multi-level Review of Engineering Ethics Education: Towards a Socio-technical Orientation of Engineering Education for Ethics. Science and Engineering Ethics, 27(5), Article 60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-021-00333-6

Chen, G., & Han, Z. (2025). The rise of deep learning: AI and engineering applications under the spotlight of the 2024 Nobel prize. Intelligent Geoengineering, 2(1), 14–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ige.2025.03.002

UNESCO. (n.d.). Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/artificial-intelligence/recommendation-ethics

Hoke, T. (2025). Mishandling AI tools puts civil engineers at risk for ethical violations. Asce.org.  https://www.asce.org/publications-and-news/civil-engineering-source/civil-engineering-magazine/issues/magazine-issue/article/2025/03/mishandling-ai-tools-puts-civil-engineers-at-risk-for-ethical-violations

Artificial Intelligence | National Society of Professional Engineers. (2023). Nspe.org.

https://www.nspe.org/nspe-advocacy/explore-issues/professional-policies-and-position-statements/artificial-intelligence

AI Use Disclosure:

I used Microsoft Co-Pilot to help me find information about AI and engineering ethics that fits the goals of this textbook chapter. It gave me sources from Google and other databases. I then used the other sources I had gathered to apply other elements to the chapter.

scite.ai.  (2023). Co-Pilot [Large Language Model].  https://copilot.microsoft.com