2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The modern landscape of Electrical Engineering (EE) education is in flux, with technological advancements heralding new pedagogical tools and methodologies. Among these, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers transformative potential.
This study aims to comprehensively explore the integration of AI within EE courses, emphasizing its advantages, challenges, and the critical approach needed for its effective use. Additionally, it seeks to analyze how computer and electrical engineering students use and embrace AI tools in their education, supported by a survey to gather insights on the impact of these tools on learning and teaching strategies.
For educators, AI-driven tools offer dynamic avenues for course content creation and delivery, adapting in real time based on student feedback and performance metrics. Laboratory preparations, too, are enriched with AI algorithms that predict equipment requirements, optimize setups, and simulate potential outcomes, ensuring impactful hands-on experiences for students.
On the other hand, students benefit from AI-powered platforms that facilitate tailored explanations, visualizations, and simulations across various topics and difficulty levels, allowing self-paced acquisition of skills. However, the imperative need for critical engagement comes with the proliferation of AI tools. This paper emphasizes the importance of educating students on the judicious use of AI. While AI platforms are invaluable resources, students must be taught to approach them with a discerning mindset, questioning and verifying the information they receive. Over-reliance on AI can lead to unvetted assimilation of knowledge, making it crucial for students to cross-check AI-generated insights with trusted textbooks, online resources, scholarly articles, and faculty and- teaching assistants in the institution.
Moreover, the paper underscores the significance of fostering a balanced pedagogical approach where AI tools are viewed as complementary resources rather than definitive sources of information. Educators are encouraged to instill in students a sense of responsibility in discerning the accuracy and relevance of AI-driven content, promoting a blend of traditional learning with the advantages of AI.
AI-driven tools present dynamic opportunities for course content creation, laboratory preparations, and tailored student learning experiences. However, with these advantages come challenges. Over-reliance on AI tools can lead to the assimilation of potentially unverified knowledge. Hence, a balanced pedagogical approach is essential, where AI tools complement, rather than replace, traditional learning resources.
For the effective integration of AI in EE education, educators must prioritize a two-pronged approach: leveraging the benefits of AI-driven tools while instilling in students a critical mindset toward the information they receive. Such a balanced approach promises a more dynamic, responsive, and critically engaged learning environment in Electrical Engineering.