Navigating the Impact of AI in Engineering Education: Enhancing Learning Outcomes and Addressing Ethical and Assessment Challenges

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in engineering education is transforming learning methodologies, enhancing engagement, and reshaping assessment strategies.AI's growing influence in engineering education enhances learning by providing instant feedback, improving problem-solving skills, and personalizing student experiences, yet it also complicates the evaluation of independent work and critical thinking.As students use AI in varying degrees, from refining their work to full reliance, this evolving landscape necessitates reassessing grading methodologies to ensure fair and accurate assessment.This study examines AI's impact on student learning outcomes and ethical considerations through a survey of 105 students across three engineering programs at the University of North Texas.Results highlight AI's role in improving research efficiency, conceptual understanding, and writing support while raising concerns about over-reliance, academic integrity, and disparities in access.Students express mixed perceptions, with some viewing AI as a valuable learning aid and others seeing it as a risk to independent critical thinking.This study also explores students' perspectives on integrating AI into future curricula and highlights their suggestions for its responsible and effective adoption in engineering education.