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Asked by shauna on 14 Nov 2024.
Question: Are there common misconceptions about your area of research that you wish more people understood?
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Harish Kambampati answered on 14 Nov 2024:
Absolutely, there are a few common misconceptions that come up often. One is the belief that AI can “think” or “understand” in the way humans do. Many people assume that when AI makes decisions or predictions, it’s reasoning like a human, but in reality, AI is processing patterns in data without awareness, emotions, or understanding.
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Brendan Mullane answered on 14 Nov 2024:
Yes, there are some misconceptions, for example many people think electronic engineers are the go-to for fixing broken electronics like phones or laptops. In reality, electronic engineers design, test, and improve electronic systems and devices—work that’s much more complex and creative than repair.
Comments
Cyrille commented on :
Many many indeed. One the one hand, people may confuse facts with opinions/recommendations. Like, MSG is not harmful to us, but it got a bad rep because at some stage a scientist claimed he got headaches from eating too much Chinese takeaway and made this as a remark in a paper. Many years later, studies show there is no harm, yet people repeat this ‘fact’. It also shows that the field is always evolving, yet people may have read outdated information years ago, and then cling onto it. Admittedly, it is tough to keep up to date: it is my full-time job to keep on top of my field, yet this is very difficult.
aasifarounak commented on :
There are plenty, infact! A common misconception about my field, Mechanical engineering, is that it requires significant physical strength, is quite intensive and is a field meant for men only. This stereotype stems from the visible aspects of this field of engineering, such as heavy machinery, or engineers in safety gear, standing over workbenches filled with metallic tools.
However, mechanical engineering is, at its core, about problem-solving, creativity, design, and applying scientific principles (of classical mechanics mostly) to solve practical problems—skills that are not dependent on physical strength but on innovative mindset and problem solving skills. Many aspects of mechanical engineering, such as computer-aided design and analyses, robotics, materials science, and dynamics, require problem solving skills. In fact, the field is increasingly leaning towards automation and virtual simulations.