ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Built Environ.
Sec. Computational Methods in Structural Engineering
Volume 11 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2025.1612575
Responsible AI in Structural Engineering: A Framework for Ethical Use
Provisionally accepted
- 1Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- 2Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
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The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into structural engineering holds great promise for advancing analysis, design, and maintenance. However, it also raises critical ethical and governance challenges-including bias, lack of transparency, accountability gaps, and equity concerns-which are particularly significant in a discipline where public safety is paramount. This study addresses these issues through eight fictional but realistic case studies that illustrate plausible ethical dilemmas, such as algorithmic bias in predictive models and tensions between AI-generated recommendations and human engineering judgment. In response, the study proposes a structured framework for responsible AI implementation, organized into three key domains: (i) Technical Foundations (focusing on bias mitigation, robust validation, and explainability); (ii) Operational and Governance Considerations (emphasizing industry standards and human-in-the-loop oversight); and (iii) Professional and Societal Responsibilities (advocating for equity, accessibility, and ethical awareness among engineers). The framework offers actionable guidance for engineers, policymakers, and researchers seeking to align AI adoption with ethical principles and regulatory standards. Beyond offering practical tools, the study explores broader theoretical and institutional implications of AI, including risks associated with model drift, the need for lifecycle oversight, and the importance of cultural and geographic adaptability. It also outlines future challenges and opportunities, such as incorporating AI ethics into engineering education and considering the ethical impact of emerging technologies like quantum computing and digital twins. Rather than offering prescriptive answers, the study aims to initiate an essential dialogue on the evolving role of AI in structural engineering, equipping stakeholders to manage its benefits and risks while upholding trust, fairness, and public safety.Literature Review Artificial intelligence (AI) (Sheikh et al. 2023; Xu et al. 2021) is revolutionizing the field of structural engineering by offering powerful tools that enhance traditional methods and introduce innovative approaches (Lagaros and Plevris 2022; Solorzano and Plevris 2022b). AI has found applications across a wide range of domains (Mahajan et al. 2024), including enhancements to the Finite Element Method for faster and more accurate simulations (
Keywords: responsible ai, AI Governance, AI ethics, accountability, Transparency and explainability, AI risk management, AI Framework for Structural Engineering
Received: 15 Apr 2025; Accepted: 30 Jun 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Plevris and Hosamo. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Haidar Hosamo, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, 0130, Norway
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