Case Repository
Filtering by:
Credit for Engineering Work
2025
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Practice
Case #24-02
Synthesized
Questions:
- Was Engineer A’s use of AI to create the report text ethical, given that Engineer A thoroughly checked the report?
- Was Engineer A’s use of AI-assisted drafting tools to create the engineering design documents ethical, given that Engineer A reviewed the design...
- If the use of AI was acceptable, did Engineer A have an ethical obligation to disclose the use of AI in any form to the Client?
Conclusions:
- Engineer A's use of AI in report writing was partly ethical, and partly unethical. Engineer A was competent and did thoroughly review and verify the AI-generated content, ensuring accuracy and compliance with professional standards. However, Engineer A did not obtain client permission to disclose private information, nor did Engineer A document required technical citations. Ethical use of AI to create the report text must satisfy all pertinent requirements.
- The use of AI-assisted drafting tools by Engineer A was not unethical per se. However, Engineer A’s misuse of the tool, by failing to maintain Responsible Charge over the AI tool and its output before sealing the document and providing it to Client W, was unethical.
- Similar to other software used in the design or detailing process, Engineer A has no professional or ethical obligation to disclose AI use to Client W (unless such disclosure is required under Engineer A’s contract with Client W). However, at the time of the BER’s review of this case there is no universal guideline mandating AI disclosure in engineering work. Ethical principles favor transparency when AI plays a substantial role in generating work products. To uphold ethical standards, engineers integrating AI into their practice should adopt rigorous verification processes and consider disclosing AI involvement when it plays a significant role in the final product.
2022
Duty to Report Misconduct
Case #22-4
Synthesized
Questions:
- Are the proposal techniques of Engineer B ethical with respect to the NSPE Code of Ethics?
- Does Engineer A have an obligation to report a violation to the Engineering Licensing Board in State Q? In State Z?
Conclusions:
- The proposal practices of Engineer B and XYZ Engineers were not unethical from the perspective of the NSPE Code of Ethics.
- Engineer A does not have an obligation to report Engineer B’s proposal/marketing practices to the engineering licensing board in State Q.
- Engineer B’s proposal/marketing practices would constitute professional misconduct per licensure law in State Z, and Engineer A has a clear obligation to report to the engineering licensing board in State Z.