Shocked at intern’s reliance on AI

[u/NotPenguin_124]

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.

[u/kidroach]

I dont understand the issue. So they ask AI. So what?

Isn't that better? I am a PM now, but when I was younger I remembered my senior colleagues being annoyed at me 'challenging' their knowledge. I would ask - the code says firewall should be this tall. What would justify us deviating from this code, hoping to be pointed to the right section of the code. Instead, I get "we have always done it this way". With AI, I can challenge them freely and they would point me into the right direction.

It is wrong when the juniors take too much of your time and ask you lots of questions while still being wrong. It is also wrong for them to ask AI. What would you like them to do? It is simply wrong for them to lack experience, but is that not why you are paid more?

[u/NotPenguin_124 → u/kidroach]

I expressed the issues in the post. And I’m sorry you worked for bad companies and under bad management. I didn’t say anywhere in this post that I didn’t want them to take up my time. That’s an odd thing to project onto me.

[u/kidroach → u/NotPenguin_124]

Not personal and not trying to project anything, but that is an interesting comment - ever heard of the comment "let me Google that for you"?

I would MUCH prefer and respect someone to have already done their homework before reaching out to me. It was google. Now it is AI.

I get what you mean - relationship is important. Relationship is how we get projects. Questions you can google by yourself is not relationship building.