The Impact of AI on Job Market Dynamics and Human Interaction: Perceptions from Computer Engineering Students

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed automation and task processing capabilities, sparking debates about its implications for human interaction, employment, and education. Although some predict that AI will replace human roles in various sectors, others emphasise its potential to create new job opportunities and drive economic growth. This study investigates the perceptions of computer engineering students at the Guarda Polytechnic Institute on the influence of AI on employment, human interaction, and its role in teaching and learning. Through a structured survey, students provided information on whether AI is perceived as a threat to human interaction, a catalyst for job creation, and a valuable tool in educational processes. As future engineers at the forefront of AI development and ethical decision making, their perspectives are crucial to understanding the evolving role of AI in professional, social, and academic contexts. The findings reveal that students generally have positive perceptions of AI technologies. They report frequent use of AI tools and express optimism about the potential of AI to improve human life. Furthermore, the data indicate that students view AI as a valuable asset in education, recognising its potential to improve learning outcomes and create new job opportunities, even while acknowledging the possibility of AI replacing certain forms of human interaction.