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In 2024, Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) took the lead as the first provincial engineering regulator to issue a practice advisory on AI, designed to provide guidance for engineers and geoscientists on using AI responsibly in their work.

Since then Professional Engineers Ontario has adopted a similar advisory and other provincial regulators are evaluating AI guidance language for their registrants.

One of the key points of the advisories is engineers must verify, validate and carefully evaluate AI-generated output to eliminate risks in their work world. 

The practice advisory “sets a bar” for what the EGBC expects its registrants to adhere to, says Amy Fehr, acting associate director, professional practice with the organization.

“We saw the need to put out something to support registrants by providing guidance on using AI appropriately in their professional activities.”

The advisory covers a number of risks engineers should be mindful of, including AI bias, hallucinations and privacy concerns.

Fehr says they need to be aware of “unintended consequences that could come up if they don’t understand and don’t appropriately mitigate those risks,” she says.

The advisory points out for any high-risk professional activities or work, registrants are required to get an independent review. 

“It helps to mitigate some potential risks.”

While regulators such as the EGBC set standards of practice and provide guidance to registrants, there is a level of risk beyond their control with the quickly evolving technology.

Fehr says the EGBC would like to see government set regulations or standards to help mitigate risks for professionals and the public’s safety.

“Everyone is grappling with AI a little bit but without having the government step in and set some of those risk thresholds it does leave a bit of grey space that could put professionals in a difficult position.”

Fehr says the advisory has received a positive response from registrants.

She says the regulator supports a collaborative effort with other engineering regulatory bodies across Canada, such as Professional Engineers of Ontario.

“We wanted to leverage what’s already in use in other jurisdictions in the country,” says Jennifer Quaglietta, CEO and registrar of the PEO.

“Although the documents refer to B.C. legislation and regulation, practitioners here in Ontario are reminded instead to refer to the relevant Ontario statutes, regulations and PEO’s code of ethics.”

Quaglietta says the pace of innovation and technological advancement is so rapid “it makes continuous learning and professional development essential, so we need to balance safety with innovation.”

But AI is no different than other technologies in that it is only a tool, most effective when it is used properly, says Quaglietta.

“Engineers designing our cities…innovating for the future must be held to highest professional ethical standards.”

The PEO’s practice advisory team helps licensed holders with questions or concerns about the association’s guidelines or standards.

Jeanette Southwood, executive vice-president of corporate affairs and strategic partnerships with Engineers Canada, says AI practice guidance at EGBC and PEO could eventually unroll and lead to national guidelines.

B.C. engineer: AI can aid design, but over-reliance threatens core skills