Electrical Engineers

25% (Low Risk)

Low Risk (21-40%): Jobs in this level have a limited risk of automation, as they demand a mix of technical and human-centric skills.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

User poll

Sentiment

The following graph is included wherever there is a substantial amount of votes to render meaningful data. These visual representations display user poll results over time, providing a significant indication of sentiment trends.

Wages

Very high paid relative to other professions

In 2023, the median annual wage for 'Electrical Engineers' was $106,950, or $51 per hour

'Electrical Engineers' were paid 122.5% higher than the national median wage, which stood at $48,060

Wages over time

Comments

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Mu (No chance) 10 days ago

New Grad EE-AI will certainly augment an EE's productivity however at higher levels where creativity and imagination (research) will not be replaced. Also risk to a company without a trained EE overlook basic tasks that AI can do wrong can cost millions of dollars and kill many people.

1 0 Reply

Zeke (Low) 30 days ago

People will want someone there to watch over the machines to make sure they don't explode or have something go wrong

1 0 Reply

Georgy (No chance) 3 months ago

I am an electrical engineer in the construction industry. Based on my experience, every project is unique, with distinct client requirements that differ from previous projects. We develop tailored designs to suit each new scope of work, conduct site inspections for existing projects, and perform inspections during the construction phase of new projects.

AI can assist with calculations, much like other software tools we use, but it must be operated by a qualified engineer. Our work is highly critical—errors in design can lead to serious consequences, such as fire hazards. Therefore, AI should be used by engineers who understand the mathematical and scientific principles behind each design decision.

5 1 Reply

Pawel (Low) 9 months ago

Need to travel, phisical work required, climbing, dismanteling, if they build relaibale robot with good battery, higher chance of beeing replaced. Until then, risk is low.

2 4 Reply

Eternal Time (Moderate) 11 months ago

I believe when artificial intelligence surges to new heights, and with the addition of other robots and electronics managed in coordination by AI, electrical engineers will surely be replaced. However, this is not likely to happen in the next 20 years, with the closest possibility being after 2044.

0 8 Reply

Atul (Low) 12 months ago

Having complex and intellectual problem solving skill makes it at low risk for automation.

2 3 Reply

Nate johnson 12 months ago

No way.
Imagination is needed for engineering.
Great minds will never be replaced.
Generation automation will take a hit, the automation will be highly driven affected by AI
Electrical instalations will always take humans to set up.
Relegating most repetive tasks will be a pleasure
Surely this will be focused in PID control and dealing with its mathematical complexity

5 3 Reply

John dough 1 year ago

The key aspects AI robots can't take from electrical engineer's role are the diversity of the profession, creativity in designing, and social perceptiveness. Although, the last aspect is one even electrical engineers lack, with many at varying levels. An bright electrical engineer possessing high creativity and social perceptiveness will be very hard to replace.

0 4 Reply

John Dough (revised) 1 year ago

The key aspects that AI robots can't take away from Electrical Engineer's role are the diversity of the profession, creativity in designing, and social perceptiveness. Although, the last aspect is one even current Electrical Engineers lack, with many at varying levels, and few to none at the mastery level. A bright Electrical Engineer possessing high creativity and social perceptiveness will be very hard to replace, nearly impossible.

1 3 Reply

ezkha 1 year ago

I think we should be able to (and must) prevent robots/AIs to become competent in electrical engineering, and thus achieving self replication. There are many uncertainties and possible consequences if the other route is taken instead.

On the other hand, since AIs have a chance to replace software engineering (and maybe also become efficient in cyber security and other CS domains), the ability for it to program itself might be slightly less risky, provided material/physical restrictions for performing certain actions are in place. At least compared to its potential benefits.

Worst case scenario is to have an SCP-079 that causes a massive physical threat to humanity to be unleashed (e.g. takedown of hospitals or containment breach of an darned un-killable XK-scenario hostile reptile being), but at least it isn't the physical threat itself.

0 5 Reply

Just An Hot Take 1 year ago

That doesn't make sense because if you give free will in terms of software for an AI then it can easily learn to control psychical objects through computer networks...

I believe you either block AI self-programming itself or you won't be able to control whatever it wants to do.

1 3 Reply

Wyan Francis (Low) 1 year ago

I’m not sure for certain, I’m just using my own opinionated logic. EE has to do with wiring and building circuits, which AI itself is created on. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that in the future AI won’t be able to do so, but in the near future I don’t think so.

0 3 Reply

Flo 1 year ago

Electrical engineers must use more and more AI to improve their productivity. They even should organize small events to diffuse knowledge among their peers, in order to use technology the best way possible. And this, always keeping in mind the upcoming developments and the future challenges of the organization they work for. They should use AI while adapting the way they do their job to stay useful and in a leading position.

0 3 Reply

Flo 1 year ago

Electrical engineers must use more and more AI to improve their productivity. They even should organize small events to diffuse knowledge among their peers, in order to use technology the best way possible. And this, always keepind in mind the upcoming developments and the future challenges of the organization they work for. They should use AI while adapting the way they do their job to stay useful and in a leading position.

0 3 Reply

Ninjamokama_3 (No chance) 1 year ago

Unless they make robots that are flexible, durable and reliable enough and have developed enough conciousness to replace human labour and thinking, this is going to be a no for me.

3 3 Reply

Matt (Low) 1 year ago

Electrical engineers would be required in the short-medium time frame of AI development to design, manufacture & maintain infrastructure for AI development.

1 3 Reply

Jose 2 years ago

Honestly, I'm an electrical engineer and what I see in AI is that it will simply boost your productivity, but in the short to medium term, I find it very unlikely that it will replace us. I myself use AI tools and I know they make mistakes. On the other hand, you have a lot of human interaction, when talking with operators, distributors, customers, and coordinating all of that. AI is very good, for example, when consulting regulations, but the day an AI can call a subcontractor, understand that Manolo had to leave the construction site because his wife got sick, and that this will cause a delay, then call the customer and explain it and reorganize the entire schedule, we will be talking about an AI that will be capable of doing everything a human does and we will be talking about a very different society.
I am quite skeptical. Only time will tell.

2 3 Reply

cum dump (Low) 2 years ago

At a Master's/PhD level, electrical engineers will always be needed. Even if drafting can easily become fully automated.

1 3 Reply

Peter (Uncertain) 3 years ago

Electrical engineers are the precursors of automation, it is inherent to this profession. The electric grid for example is mostly operated by itself, but always will be necessary for humans to assess for risks and plan and manage improvements, act when a fault occurs, etc.

1 3 Reply

Lovro (No chance) 3 years ago

This is the job that takes away other jobs. Not vice versa

3 3 Reply

Bela Szabo (Low) 3 years ago

Who will be programming the AIs if the electrical engineers are left? I say they will be more than ever.

1 3 Reply

Just An Hot Take 1 year ago

I think you are mistaking computer scientists with EEs. However I believe they share a lot in common. If one goes down, the other goes as well.

2 2 Reply

Josh 4 years ago

I've seen AI do some amazing things when it comes to placement, routing, clock tree synthesis, and fault corrections. Its only a matter of time, and probably sooner than most people think, before AI replaces anyone working on VLSI stuff

0 3 Reply

Devadut S Balan 1 year ago

Mixed circuit design is probably safe. Without data AI cant do much.

0 2 Reply