We asked three experts: When embedding tools such as AI and automation into new projects, products and systems, what do engineers need to consider to ensure ethical outcomes?
Craig McGrory
“Australia faces a huge challenge: in the next 20 years, we need to build an enormous amount of infrastructure. At present, we’re doing it inefficiently. Ours is already one of the most expensive markets in the world for delivering infrastructure, so we need to find smarter ways to harness emerging technologies that drive efficiency, reduce costs and ultimately deliver better outcomes for society. In this context, adopting new technology isn’t optional – it’s essential.
“But we must start with purpose. This isn’t about chasing the latest shiny tool. The real question is: how does this help us achieve better outcomes for society? That means improving efficiency, lowering costs and strengthening governance, all while keeping sustainability at the core.
“Of course, there are ethical concerns – most notably, whether technology replaces jobs. But in engineering, this isn’t the issue. Right now, we simply don’t have the workforce to meet Australia’s infrastructure demands. Technology isn’t about replacing people; it’s about enabling us to do more with the skilled workforce we already have. That requires reskilling, better communication, and helping engineers develop inquiry and problem-solving skills that drive real progress. If we strike this balance, tools such as AI – and, soon, quantum computing – could become catalysts for sustainable change, rather than just another wave of technology.
“We also need to confront the unintended consequences. Advanced tools demand greater power and water consumption, which is a serious concern. But ignoring them isn’t an option. Instead, we must engineer more efficient solutions to mitigate their environmental impact.
“Whatever efficiencies we achieve, human accountability must remain non-negotiable. AI, for example, should support decision-making, not replace it. AI’s role is to gather and interrogate information, offering insights that help us make smarter, faster and more ethical choices. But the responsibility for those choices must remain firmly with the engineer.
“Finally, we need to resist using these tools lazily. Superficial answers are not enough. We must demand depth, context and genuine understanding – outcomes that depend on the inquisitiveness and critical thinking that define great engineers.”
Craig McGrory is Chief Transformation Officer at ACCIONA.
Matt Gijselman
“When engineers bring AI or automation into a project, it’s not just about what the tech can do – it’s about what it should do. Ethical outcomes do not happen by accident; they need to be designed in from the start. That means asking who benefits, who might be excluded and how decisions made by machines affect real people.
“It also means recognising that we now have much of the technology we’ve been looking for. The challenge is no longer capability – it is culture. We need to build the leadership, incentives and institutional muscle to use these tools effectively and ethically.
“Engineers play a vital role, but they can’t do it alone. That is why ethical engineering demands collaboration – with communities, ethicists and other stakeholders – to ensure systems reflect a broader set of values and lived experience. Ultimately, it’s about trust. If we want the public to embrace these tools, we have to show we’ve thought through the risks, not just the rewards.”
Matt Gijselman is Director – Infrastructure Policy Advancement (APAC) at Bentley Systems.
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Ruth Lewis MIEAust
“As engineers embed AI and automation into projects, products and systems, ethical responsibility must sit alongside technical excellence. Professional codes of conduct make it clear engineers are not only problem-solvers, but also custodians of technologies that shape people’s lives and the environment. Designing with ethics at the forefront is about ensuring innovations contribute positively to society while avoiding foreseeable harms.
“This is no small task. Generative AI, robotics and autonomous systems are transforming industries at pace. They can streamline operations, improve safety and expand human capability. Yet they can also be exploited by malicious actors, amplify bias or erode trust if they rely on inaccurate or unrepresentative data. Engineers must anticipate both intended uses and potential misuses. Protecting data provenance, ensuring accuracy and securing informed consent are critical steps in respecting those whose information underpins these systems.
“Meeting these responsibilities demands an expanded engineering mindset. Beyond functionality and sustainability, practitioners need to incorporate design techniques that deliberately consider ethical, cultural and societal implications.
“This means engaging with stakeholders, mapping risks and building in processes to monitor and evaluate outcomes long after deployment.
“Encouragingly, global frameworks are emerging to support this shift. Standards such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 24748-7000:2022 provide structured methods for addressing ethical concerns throughout the design life cycle. By adopting these approaches, engineers can strengthen their capacity for moral reasoning and create systems that serve both innovation and integrity.
“Ethical design is no longer an optional extra. It is an essential capability for shaping technologies that will define our collective future.”
Ruth Lewis MIEAust is Vice President of Standards for the IEEE Society for Social Implications of Technology, a futurist and Director of Technology Foresight Consulting.
Watch this on-demand webinar on navigating the ethics of AI and building skills for responsible engineering.