AI in Wonderland: Engineering in the Age of Overpromised Technology
Authors: Khan Samir 
Published: January 2025

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">This report explores the move from traditional industry practices to emerging technologies, specifically the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in engineering service sectors. It highlights the increasing problem of “technology washing,” when organizations overstate (sometimes deceivingly) their technology abilities and ethics, posing challenges to accountability, transparency, and trust in various fields. The rise of AI-based solutions in sectors like autonomous mobility, manufacturing, and aerospace has exposed a contrast between ambitious future aspirations and current technological barriers. With this, the role of human knowledge in guaranteeing ethical, efficient, and clear technology incorporation becomes essential.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">Starting with an examination of today’s technological scene, this report tackles topics such as the buzz around autonomous systems and the difficulties of standardizing fresh innovations. It also points out the problem of organizations exaggerating the capabilities of AI, stressing the importance of human monitoring to manage operational risks and uphold public trust. Practical scenarios in autonomous mobility, aerospace, and manufacturing highlight a significant discrepancy between industry targets and technological feasibilities, stressing the indispensable contribution of human intervention in ensuring successful implementation.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">These examples are analyzed to give insights into current technology successes and limitations and to propose a balanced path for the future. Ultimately, there may be a future where groundbreaking technological advancements remain in harmony with human values. This report challenges established narratives and outlines a path for ethical technological advancement that is transparent and in line with societal values, examining questions like the following:<ul class="list disc"><li class="list-item"><div class="htmlview paragraph"><b>What are some popular misunderstandings and exaggerated claims regarding AI capabilities today?</b> Examine the divide between how the public sees things and what’s actually true in the context of deceptive AI practices and inflated statements.</div></li><li class="list-item"><div class="htmlview paragraph"><b>How do organizations maintain a balance between rapid technological adoption and human oversight?</b> Explore ways to maintain human knowledge in decision-making processes despite technological advances.</div></li><li class="list-item"><div class="htmlview paragraph"><b>What are stakeholders’ views on the reliability and safety of autonomous technologies?</b> Investigate the certainty levels in crucial systems that have implications for public safety and business continuity.</div></li><li class="list-item"><div class="htmlview paragraph"><b>What are the risks associated with overusing AI for critical functions?</b> Highlight the potential pitfalls of excessive reliance on AI without proper backup systems or redundancy plans.</div></li></ul></div><div class="htmlview paragraph">NOTE: SAE Edge Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the mobility industry. The goal of SAE Edge Research Reports is to stimulate discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of identified issues. These reports are not intended to resolve the challenges they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny.</div></div>