Featuring insights from Omaira Jajbhay from Zutari, Craig Tinashe Tanyanyiwa from Water Footprint Implementation, Sulaiman Saleem Patel from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and Tasneem Essop from Iqbusiness, and facilitated by Theasha Naidoo, from Talbot, and who is also a CESA YPF KZN Committee member. Together, they unpacked how AI is enabling more predictive, data-driven approaches to engineering, with practical applications in areas such as energy forecasting, water management, and infrastructure resilience.

A key theme that emerged was the shift from static design approaches to real-time, probabilistic thinking, which is an evolution that is becoming essential in navigating increasing climate uncertainty. At the same time, panellists emphasised that while AI enhances efficiency and supports better decision-making, the role of the engineer remains critical. The importance of data integrity was strongly underscored, alongside the continued risk of “garbage in, garbage out,” while the need for a “human-in-the-loop” was highlighted to ensure ethical oversight, contextual interpretation, and accountability.

The interactive nature of the session allowed attendees to engage directly with these ideas, ask questions, and reflect on their own roles within a rapidly evolving engineering landscape. Ultimately, the discussion reinforced that AI is not replacing engineers, but augmenting their ability to design resilient, intelligent systems. It also highlighted the growing responsibility of engineers to interrogate AI models, manage uncertainty, and contribute to building future-ready, climate-resilient solutions.