Morgan State University Participates Generational Opportunity to Harness AI Engineering for Good

Morgan State University is proud to participate in a groundbreaking report by the Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA), a U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded initiative, which outlines an ambitious pathway for the United States to lead in AI Engineering. This report identifies vital research directions, emphasizing a generational opportunity to shape the future by merging artificial intelligence and engineering for the betterment of society.

Released during a time when public sentiment is cautious about AI’s rapid progress, the report underscores the pivotal role of engineers in guiding AI toward socially responsible applications. The report, titled AI Engineering | A Strategic Research Framework to Benefit Society, urges the engineering community to integrate AI with a strong focus on safety, ethics, and public welfare, ensuring that new advancements align with societal needs and values.

Dr. Onyema Osuagwu, Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and Cybersecurity Assurance and Policy Center at Morgan State University, emphasized the critical need for thoughtful AI development: “If unchecked, the AI hype cycle can drive more speculation than innovation in business and research. As we progress in this field, it is crucial to explicitly use well-formulated scientific and engineering principles while keeping our work grounded on verifiable and repeatable results. Blind leaps of faith in this technology driven by our desire to anthropomorphize are not wise.”

The report highlights 14 "grand challenges" within three focal areas where AI and engineering must align:

1. Design, Manufacturing, and Operations: Engineers can lead in creating secure, dependable AI systems that revolutionize manufacturing processes, improve product life cycles, and scale engineering practices to new heights.
2. AI Engineering and Society: Addressing the ethical and social dimensions, engineers can ensure AI systems are built for safe, productive collaboration between humans and machines, promoting transparency and minimizing unintended consequences.
3. National Initiatives for AI Engineering: By breaking down barriers between sectors and disciplines, engineers in government, industry, and academia can drive nationwide AI innovation and train the next generation of AI Engineers through collaborative efforts and updated academic programs.

This report, the eighth of its kind from ERVA, convened 28 engineering experts from academia, industry, and government. It is a crucial call to action, emphasizing that the convergence of AI and engineering is poised to drive transformative changes across sectors. As the United States navigates this technological revolution, Morgan State University stands ready to contribute to developing a skilled AI Engineering workforce, prepared to drive ethical, impactful innovation.

To access the executive summary and the full report, visit ERVA’s website, where previous reports covering essential topics such as sustainable engineering and climate resilience are also available.

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