Humans in the Loop

Artificial intelligence will destroy humanity. Or save it. Or do both. Or maybe not.

When it comes to understanding AI, even technologists admit uncertainty. That’s why I spend less time trying to predict the future and more time learning how to use the tools that are available.

Recently, our Talent Development team hosted a companywide Learning Week focused on AI. The conversations reinforced something I’ve believed for a while: understanding AI isn’t about completely grasping the underlying science. It’s about learning how to collaborate with a new kind of tool.

While AI tools are far more intuitive than quantum mechanics, they’re just as mysterious. As this technology evolves, U.S. Engineering has developed some basic principles for how we approach such a dynamic toolset. These principles complement our Vision, Mission, Core Values, and strategy.

• Co-Intelligence, Not Replacement. Think of it as Co-Intelligence. As academic author Ethan Mollick puts it, rather than calling it “artificial” or “replacement” intelligence, we can pair AI with human judgement to amplify our work, not sideline it. The future belongs to organizations that know how to combine human creativity with machine capability. AI will not take jobs. People who know how to use AI better will take jobs.
• Ask Good Questions. I don’t need to become a coder. I need expertise in prompting, guiding, and evaluating outputs. Just like our interpersonal relationships require clear communication, so do our interactions with AI.
• Approach It Critically. AI can be confident, even when it’s wrong. The burden is on humans to analyze outputs thoughtfully and remain just as cautious about the inputs. Not all AI systems are created equal. As we test AI with tasks, it’s essential to protect the integrity of our work and maintain strong cybersecurity practices.
• Experiment Constantly. The best way to understand the potential value of AI is to try it. Hands-on interactions make it easier to imagine greater potential. Just because I spent a week with Alan Wiggett in the Loveland shop 20 years ago doesn’t mean I can produce an x-ray quality weld. Keep practicing! If you don’t know where to start, ask a colleague how they’re experimenting. Make it a topic of a team meeting. Share what you learn.
• Stay in the Middle. There are good reasons to stay ahead of others, and equally good reasons to avoid being on the bleeding edge of every advancement. Pragmatism matters just as much as innovation.

All the principles are optimistic. They assume AI tools can enable personal and professional growth for all of us as individuals by keeping humans in the loop. The most impactful technological innovations often come from those who use what’s been created in surprising and novel ways. Our responsibility is to create space for that to happen.

Keeping humans at the center of our approach to AI aligns with our Core Values, Mission, and Vision. Leaving a Legacy and Being the Best can’t happen without constant curiosity, creativity, and teamwork. AI is one more tool our Team Members can use to add value for our customers and in the communities where we work and live.