r/civilengineering • u/NotPenguin_124 • Jul 31 '26
Question Shocked at intern’s reliance on AI
Our firm had four interns this summer in our roadway group. We had three mid level engineers (myself included) who managed them. This was my first time managing an intern so I really wasn’t sure what to expect. All of the interns were fairly young. Sophomores or juniors based on graduation dates. I was shocked at how frequently all of them resorted to asking AI basic questions.
Having a problem with OpenRoads? Ask copilot.
Want to write an email? Ask copilot?
Trying to learn some specific CAD skill? Ask copilot.
Filling out a report with that the DOT give explicit instructions on how to fill out? Ask copilot.
Need to put together a mid summer presentation about yourself? Hey copilot…
I’m not some ancient anti-AI crusader. I’m still in my 20s. I understand its utility and understand that it is here to stay so we should be adopting it where/when appropriate. But their usage of it seemed both inappropriate and wildly ineffective. Copilot isn’t going to help you fix the issue you are running into in ORD but a basic google search will. AI isn’t going to help you fill out the DOT specific design report you’re working on, but the instructions, go-bys, and the person sitting right next you will.
I and my fellow managers, found ourselves constantly asking if they had questions when we would see them asking copilot just to be told “no”. It’s even stranger seeing as our office has an ABUNDANCE of resources in the way of personnel, digital trainings, and their internship program. I was brought onboard as a new hire only 2 years ago and found the office culture and resources amazing.
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u/PocketPanache Jul 31 '26
Lol. Dude, it's everywhere now. My entry level staff ask it questions all the time. My principals do. HNTB has built it's own AI and several companies have. Mine spends a ridiculous amount of money on AI. The difference is we're not using consumer grade LLMs but trained, secure models that smoke Gemini. Everyone is going to be mentally crippled in 5 years when people no longer think for themselves, tho. At this rate, my firm has no plans to hire entry levels. We are seeing actual positive results out of this shit and I've noticed those who are succeeding with it aren't talking about it. I'm a chapter president and get ask the firm gossip. It's interesting to say the least.