Sasha Nikolic of University of Wollongong, Australia

The future of the Engineering Practice and Learning with AI Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way engineers design, build, and learn. This presentation explores how AI technologies are reshaping engineering practice and education, enabling faster innovation, improved accuracy, and more efficient problem-solving. From generative design and predictive maintenance to intelligent tutoring systems and virtual laboratories, AI is becoming an essential tool across engineering disciplines. The talk will examine how AI enhances traditional engineering workflows by automating routine tasks, supporting complex simulations, and assisting in data-driven decision-making. It will also discuss the evolving role of engineers in an AI-driven workplace, emphasizing the importance of human creativity, ethical judgment, and interdisciplinary collaboration. In the context of learning, the presentation highlights how AI-powered platforms personalize education, provide real-time feedback, and support lifelong learning. While these advancements offer significant opportunities, they also raise critical ethical, social, and professional challenges, including data privacy, bias, workforce displacement, and environmental impact. By analyzing current trends and future possibilities, this presentation aims to equip students, educators, and professionals with the knowledge needed to adapt responsibly to AI integration. Ultimately, it emphasizes that the future of engineering lies in a balanced partnership between human expertise and intelligent systems.

Biography:

Dr Sasha Nikolic is an Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong, holding a PhD in Engineering Education and a BE in Telecommunications. 

Sasha is internationally recognised for his leadership in engineering education, receiving numerous accolades including Australian Awards for University Teaching Citations (2012, 2019), University of Wollongong Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning Awards (2011, 2018, 2025), AAEE Awards (2019, 2023), the IEEE NSW Outstanding Volunteer Award (2024), the SEFI Best Paper Award (2024), and the IEEE Education Society Meritorious Service Award (2023). He has also contributed to impactful research on Generative AI and academic integrity, and champions laboratory learning as a space for developing uniquely human capabilities in an AI-enhanced education system.

A key focus of his recent work is the role of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in reshaping education. Sasha leads collaborative, multi-institutional research that examines GenAI’s impact on academic integrity, curriculum design, assessment authenticity, and the evolving role of educators. His work highlights how GenAI is not only a technological disruptor but a catalyst for reimagining teaching and learning practices across engineering and higher education. Through the Australasian Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Education Centre (AAIEEC), which he founded and currently leads as President, Sasha coordinates national workshops, policy reviews, and research clusters that provide holistic oversight of the risks, opportunities, and human-centric competencies essential for thriving in AI-augmented learning environments. He is also a sought-after speaker and consultant on GenAI in education, offering research-driven insights through keynote addresses, professional development workshops, and strategy sessions for educators, institutions, and policymakers.

He is also President of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE) and a Senior Fellow of the Wollongong Academy of Tertiary Teaching and Learning Excellence. A Senior IEEE Member, Sasha has held prominent governance roles including Chair of the IEEE NSW Section, Chair of the IEEE Education Society NSW Chapter, and Secretary of the IEEE Australia Council. He also served as General Co-Chair of IEEE TALE2018 and member of the IEEE TALE Steering Committee.

Email:

Address:Madrid, Madrid, Spain