EXPLORING THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN TECHNICAL DEGREES: INSIGHTS FROM BUILDING MATERIALS SUBJECTS

The incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education has gained significant attention, particularly for its potential to assist in the learning process.This paper explores how AI tools were used in the course "Building Materials II", within the Building Engineering program of Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain), focusing specifically on the topic of cement.In this exercise, students were tasked with creating their own summaries of the topic and then comparing their work to summaries generated by AI.The objective of this activity was to evaluate how AI could assist students in understanding complex, technical content.The students used AI to generate summaries, which they then compared to their own.This comparison allowed us to identify both the strengths and the limitations of using AI in this context.While AI was able to generate summaries quickly and in a coherent format, it sometimes fell short in capturing the level of detail required for a subject as specialized as building materials.Certain aspects of the topic, particularly more technical or industry-specific details, were not fully addressed by AI.Additionally, the exercise prompted students to reflect on the differences between their own summaries and those produced by AI.This critical analysis allowed them to better understand the role of AI as a tool in academic and professional settings, as well as the importance of developing their own skills in research and technical writing.The students also gained insights into the limitations of relying solely on AI for technical subjects, where in-depth knowledge and expertise are essential.The findings from this study emphasize several limitations of AI in technical education.AI often simplifies complex topics, sometimes failing to include all the relevant technical details.Its content is also dependent on available data, which may not always be the most up-to-date, and AI lacks the ability to integrate personal experience or provide insights from the professional world.Despite these drawbacks, AI can be a valuable supplementary tool, offering students quick access to information and aiding in the learning process.In conclusion, while AI offers promising benefits in technical education, its limitations must be acknowledged.Educators should combine AI tools with traditional teaching methods to ensure students develop a comprehensive understanding of the material, encouraging critical thinking and in-depth learning.