Artificial Intelligence in Engineering: ATU Discusses the Future of Technologies
A round table titled “AI in Engineering: Tool, Partner, or Competitor?” was held at the Department of Computer Engineering of the Faculty of Information Technologies at Almaty Technological University (ATU). The event brought together leading national and international scholars, representatives of the IT industry, and experts to discuss the transformation of engineering activities in the context of rapid digitalization.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation Aliev Bakhodir Azimjonovich, who emphasized the strategic importance of integrating artificial intelligence technologies into the academic and research-educational environment as a key condition for enhancing the competitiveness of modern universities.
Dean of the Faculty of Information Technologies Malikova Feruza Umirzakhovna noted that such events contribute to shaping a relevant educational agenda and serve as an effective platform for adapting academic programs to the challenges of the new technological reality.
The discussion was moderated by Head of the Department of Computer Engineering, PhD Adilzhanova Saltanat Almukhanbetovna.
International Expertise: AI and the Global Labor Market
A highlight of the session was the presentation by PhD researcher Arman Mazhikeev from Loughborough University (United Kingdom). In his talk titled “AI, firm productivity and job replacements,” he explored the mechanisms through which AI algorithms impact company efficiency and provided a detailed analysis of job displacement risks at the global level. He emphasized that maintaining a balance between automation and the creation of new professional niches remains a key challenge for the global economy.
Scientific and Practical Cluster: From Digital Twins to Cybersecurity
The session covered a broad spectrum of applied research:
• Industrial Digitalization: PhD, Associate Professor Amirhanova Gulshat Amanzholovna presented results of project No. BR24992975 on developing a digital twin of a food industry enterprise using AI and IIoT technologies.
• Fundamental Science: Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Academician of NAS RK, Director General of the Institute of Information and Computational Technologies Bektimesov Maktagali Abdimazhitovich highlighted AI as an interdisciplinary foundation of modern science.
• Cybersecurity: Nurzhan Rakhimov, CEO of Zeid Security LLP, analyzed vulnerabilities of intelligent systems and stressed the importance of data “information hygiene.”
• Educational Technologies: Bauyrzhan Amirhanov (DocumentKZ & DigitalEgiz Lab) presented the “Kamilya” platform for automated educational content generation.
• Productivity and Ethics: PhD Meruert Sakybekova raised the question of whether automation frees time for creativity or increases human workload.
• Intelligent Agents: PhD doctoral student Aiaulym Baidulla from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University presented on intelligent control systems.
• Interdisciplinary Aspects: Contributions were also made by PhD Vladislav Karyukin (multimodal systems) and senior lecturer Zhanibek Turysbek (fake news detection).
The discussion enabled participants to develop a shared vision for the industry’s future. It was concluded that AI should be regarded as a high-tech partner, requiring future engineers to develop new competencies, including critical thinking, content verification skills, and adaptability.
The program concluded with a tour of ATU’s research laboratories, where guests were introduced to the university’s innovative capabilities for implementing joint international projects.
