President's Message

Emily Guglielmo, SE, PE, F.SEI

2023-2024 SEAOC President

Experts estimate that over 35% of structural engineering tasks could be automated by artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States.

If true, this estimate would place us just behind that predicted for the administrative and legal professions. The impact of AI in our profession would surpass science, business, finance, and sales. A profession historically resistant to change, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture.

Structural engineering is both susceptible and alluring to the transformative power of AI. Our profession is codified, mathematical, prescriptive, and commands compensation large enough to attract interest beyond our borders. Venture capitalists are pouncing on the opportunities associated with AI in our profession. They are establishing structural engineering companies, using AI to automate designs, and circumventing traditional consulting firms to engage directly with stakeholders.

AI is not simply an impending wave; it is at an inflection point demanding our close attention. The choice before us is clear: a future colored by fear or one illuminated with promise. Amid the risks of job displacement lies a profound opportunity for a symbiotic relationship between AI and human creativity. The potential to swiftly solve complex problems, enhance lives, and forge a force for good is within reach. Achieving these goals requires vision, open-mindedness, and dedication to optimize the use of AI.

We might not recognize it; however, we interact with AI on a regular basis. Personal assistants like Siri, Cortana, and Microsoft's "Co-Pilot" AI facilitate a seamless transition from thoughts to paper. Embracing AI's low-hanging fruit to create a first draft of an email or a report invites us to explore its potential. The use of AI for reports can complete 80% of the effort "for free," allowing for a high-quality finished product and/or significant time savings.

Challenges loom large, including preserving development of engineering principles, quality control, and regulation compliance. Recognizing the potential of AI to perpetuate bias, leveraging diverse data sets, and scrutinizing algorithms for fairness and equity are crucial for responsible AI integration.

While concerns appropriately exist for AI, opportunities abound. AI has the potential to liberate engineers from monotonous tasks, resulting in increased opportunities for innovation and problem-solving. AI will inevitably widen the gap between high-performing and low-performing entities, empowering top talent to tackle significant challenges while lower performers risk being replaced. As we embrace AI, soft skills, such as business development, communication, and relationship-building are even more critical.

As AI inevitably diminishes the significance of portions of our traditional business, it is imperative to proactively explore alternative avenues for value creation, such as de-carbonizing buildings, innovating new systems, or refining project delivery opportunities. We must structure our compensation around value, not hours. Those who move AI closer to the client gain a competitive advantage, while those who ignore or underutilize AI face a race to the bottom.

I admit the path forward is uncertain. However, open-mindedness, willingness to embrace change, and empowerment of our youth can harness AI's potential for good. We stand at a fork in the road – a dystopian future with job loss or a utopia where we are liberated from menial tasks, empowered as problem-solving innovators. The choice is ours.

For the latest insights and opportunities, SEAOC proudly presents a 3-part series on AI in structural engineering. Please sign up today and join us on this transformative journey.

Announcing the

2023 SEAOC Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards

SEAOC is pleased to announce the eight winners of the annual Excellence in Structural Engineering awards. Convention or no convention, the projects entered this year extraordinary in their engineering, creativity, diversity and community impact. The winning projects will be recognized in a webinar presentation in the spring, date to be determined.

SEAOC appreciates the hard work of our 2023 Awards Chair, Dave Miller of SEAOCC, and our esteemed jurors: Nick Herskedel (SEAOCC), Meaghan Halligan (SEAONC), Nina Mahjoub (SEAOSC), David Aveyard (SEAOSD), architect Brian Mayhum, and contractor Kelly Cowan.

Here's a look at the 2023 winners!

Excellence Awards

UCSD York Hall Seismic Rehabilitation

LPA Design Studios

SEAOSD

Excellence Award - Retrofit / Alteration

Project Board

Diego Rivera Pan American Unity Mural

Holmes

SEAONC

Excellence Award - Special Use

Project Board

Google Bay View

Thornton Tomasetti

SEAOSC

Excellence Award - New Construction

Project Board

Merit Awards

Oregon Supreme Court Historic Preservation

Forell Elsesser

SEAONC

Merit Award - Existing Structures

Project Board

The Gemma Apartments (Phase I & II)

Labib Funk + Associates

SEAOSC

Merit Award - Retrofit / Alteration

Project Board

South Valley Middle School Campus Replacement

RW Consulting Engineers

SEAOCC

Merit Award - New Construction

Project Board

Southwestern College Performing Arts Center

Coffman Engineers

SEAOSD

Merit Award - New Construction

Project Board

One Steuart Lane

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

SEAONC

Merit Award - New Construction

Project Board

SEAOC at NCSEA Summit

SEAOC was pleased to serve as the host SEA for the annual NCSEA Summit Nov. 6-10 at the Disneyland Resort. SEAOC co-sponsored an opening night reception of bowling and fun in Downtown Disney, and is grateful to NCSEA for generously accommodating our SE Pathways program that introduced a cohort of new and aspiring structural engineers to the profession. The two Boards of Directors met together as well, formally and then festively for a shared dinner.

See The Photos

There's still time to register for...

AI in SE

A Three-Part SEAOC Webinar Series

The Future is Happening Today

Kristin Kautz, CSP

12 - 1pm PST, Wed. 11/29

How do you wade through the technology, keep updated on every advancement happening at light speed, and most importantly, understand how it impacts you, your job, and your business? This seminar will explore AI 101, what it is, and what you should know, including its inherent problems and emerging opportunities.

Harnessing AI Potential in Engineering

Dr. Murat Melek, SE

12 - 1 p.m. PST, Wed., Dec. 6

2023 has marked an extraordinary surge in interest for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, primarily fueled by the advancements in Large Language Models (LLM) like ChatGPT. This presentations aim to provide a high-level overview of the AI and Machine Learning landscape, including but not limited to predictive models, computer vision, and LLMs. We'll explore potential use cases in civil and structural engineering, discussing how we can integrate these technologies into our everyday practice.

The Exponential Decade: AI from Design to Planning to Project Management

KP Reddy

12 noon - 1 p.m. PST Wed. Dec, 13

Provocateur KP Reddy will help us explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing the AEC industry. The disruption is here as we stand on the precipice of an "exponential decade," marked by technological advancements and increasing demands for sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective construction, AI emerges as a game-changer... or does it?

Registration Fees

SEAOC Members: $125 for series / $60 per session

NCSEA Members: $175 per series / $75 per session

Not a member of SEAOC or NCSEA: $250 per series / $100 per session

SEAOC attendees will invited to join a new SEAOC AI Collaborative!

SEAOC offers financial assistance to take part in

NCEES SE Exam Cut Score Workshops

SEAOC is looking for volunteers to help NCEES with setting the grading standards of the new PE Structural Exam (what used to be called the “16-hour SE Exam”). NCEES, the organization that writes and administers the engineering and surveying licensing exams, is seeking structural engineers to participate in the standard setting panels (“cut-score” workshops), that help set the passing scores for the depth portions of the SE Exam. Next year, the test switches to the new format by using a Computer Based Testing (CBT) exam. The depth portions of the exam involve the use of “alternative item types” (AITs) in lieu of the old handwritten (“constructed response”) paper and pencil answers. The standard setting panels will meet the week of May 17, 2024 at the NCEES Headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina.

Scoring panels are scheduled for the “vertical” portion of the exam on May 17 and 18, and an additional two days are scheduled on May 20 and 21 for the “lateral” portion of the exam. Cut-score participants can choose to attend only two days, or all four days. NCEES covers airfare, hotel accommodations, transportation, and meals while in Greenville, in addition to a stipend to cover incidental travel expenses. The stipend ranges between about $390 for a two-day meeting to about $470 for those attending all four days.

SEAOC members have been working with NCEES to develop the new exam, and SEAOC is encouraging its membership to provide support by assisting with the standard setting of the exam. This portion of the process is critical to ensure that the new exam reflects the needs of our profession, and our participation emphasizes SEAOC’s continued commitment to public safety.

Because of the additional travel time required for West Coast engineers, SEAOC is offering an additional $500 for SEAOC members from California who participate in the standard setting workshops. NCEES is required, by policy, to have a diverse panel with regard to gender, age, ethnicity, region, experience type, and number of years licensed. NCEES is particularly looking for engineers that have passed the SE exam in the last 5 years. Final selection of who will participate in the standard setting workshops is at the sole discretion of NCEES.

Any SEAOC member who would like more information about this opportunity or who would like to participate, please contact Carl Josephson S.E., SEAOC Licensing Committee Chair, at cjosephson@jwa-se.com.

SEAOC participates in the SESOC 2023 Conference

By Kelly Cobeen, SE

In June 2023 I was privileged to be one of the California delegation participating the 2023 SESOC Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, continuing on-going SESOC-SEAOC collaboration. Held mid-winter in New Zealand, the Christchurch weather was very similar to mid-winter San Francisco, with colder temperatures and some wind and rain, but very hospitable to being out and exploring. Held in the central business district hit heavily by the 2010/2011 earthquakes, it was inspiring to see many new and creative buildings redefining downtown Christchurch, including the beautiful new conference center in which the conference was held. Still present among them were impressive older concrete buildings harking back to the 1970’s. It was also wonderful to tour the historic and iconic Christchurch Cathedral amid ongoing stabilization and repair work.

High on the priority list was making connections with our SESOC colleagues, including many supporters of the SESOC-SEAOC collaboration. Among others we were able to connect with SESOC President Nic Brooke, SESOC Immediate Past President Michelle Grant, and SESOC Past President Paul Campbell who, along with SESOC Executive Director John Snook, has joined us at several SEAOC Conventions. Of course, in the middle of collaboration was dual-member and enthusiastic collaborator Laura Whitehurst, who continues her work with Holmes in Wellington. Also included was SESOC Past President and collaboration supporter Hamish McKenzie and international engineer extraordinaire Ken Elwood. We were able to reflect on and celebrate collaboration to date and think to future collaboration.

It was wonderful to spend time with both Stefanie Rae Arizabal, awarded the SEAOC travel scholarship to the SESOC Conference, and Laura Schwass who was awarded the SESOC travel scholarship to the SEAOC Convention (her travel now modified due to Maui fires). Stefanie gave a presentation related to her studies of post-earthquake cordoning. Laura presented on foundation retrofit work occurring as one of many parts of the ongoing Christchurch Cathedral project. Both are congratulated on their awards and participation.

From left to right Nic Brooke, Michelle Grant, Stefanie Rae Arizabal, Laura Schwass, Kelly Cobeen, John Snook, Laura Whitehurst, Megan Stringer, Tal Feinstein, and Paul Campbell.

The conference included a variety of fascinating technical and professional practice presentations as well as wonderful social events. Several events brought in New Zealand culture and endeavors, including an initial Māori blessing and a presentation on extreme weather design of additions to New Zealand’s Antarctica Scott Base.

From SEAOC, SEAONC Past-President Megan Stinger gave a plenary presentation on the engineer’s role in getting to net zero, drawing on her sustainable design practice and leadership role in SEAOC and US committees; this was well matched with a series SESOC member presentation on sustainability considerations implemented in design. Several presentations resulted from SESOC-SEAOC collaboration efforts, included SEAOC involvement in a panel discussion on occupational regulation; this was facilitated by SEAOC Licensure Committee chair Carl Josephson from the SEAOC side. Additionally, SESOC’s Michelle Grant presented a comparison of design for non-engineered buildings in New Zealand and the U.S., with me speaking to U.S. practice. Also, there and presenting was SEAOC member Tal Feinstein. As collaboration continues, we continue to see how much we have in common in our practice and challenges, and how much we can learn from each other.

Megan Stringer presenting on getting to net-zero.

SESOC Past-President Michelle Grant reporting on Seismic Risk Working Group findings.

SESOC and SEAOC travel scholarship winners Laura Schwass and Stefanie Rae Arizabal.

The final day of the conference occurred on International Women in Engineering Day, with a brief celebration by women in attendance and supporters that morning presented a great opportunity for a group photo. I very much enjoyed the conference and being able to visit Christchurch, and look forward to more collaboration activity to come.

Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day at the SESOC Conference, June 23, 2023.

Proceedings from the SESOC conference and a host of other information is available on the SESOC web site: www.sesoc.org.nz.

SESOC and SEAOC collaborators continue to meet on a monthly basis to identify new areas of collaboration and make connections at both ends. A number of joint presentations were planned for the 2023 SEAOC Convention in Maui; we hope some of them can be presented at the 2024 convention. If you have interest in this collaboration effort, please contact kcobeen@wje.com, or Joyce Fuss - Joyce.Fuss@lionakis.com.