Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at the University of Canterbury, Dr Brian Guo lists three adjectives that will shape the future of engineering: digital, sustainable, and resilient.
“It’s a pretty awesome time to be in the field!” he exclaims. “In a nutshell, the future of engineering is all about using cool tech, protecting the planet, and building things that can stand up to whatever life throws at us.
“First, digital,” he says. Whether it’s AI, 3D printing, or smart sensors, engineering is more tech-driven than ever. “These tools are helping us design and build things faster, smarter, and with way more precision. It’s like giving engineers superpowers to solve problems we couldn’t tackle before.”
Brian says this is where automation and AI come in. Faster, more accurate, and of higher quality, embracing these technologies means getting more done with less human effort. This might mean robots handling bricklaying or site inspections, and AI optimising project schedules and reducing waste. “These technologies can take over repetitive, time-consuming, or physically demanding tasks, freeing up people to focus on more creative, strategic, and high-value work.”
When I asked Brian whether you and I are right to fear automation and AI, he admitted that, like many, he’s wrestling with it too. “If automation, robots, and AI can improve productivity, then I believe the general public should embrace and adapt to these changes rather than fear them.
“New Zealand, like many countries, has a low productivity issue. What does that mean? Basically, it means we’re not getting as much output from the work we put in compared to other countries. Low productivity leads to slower economic growth, which in turn means lower salaries and fewer resources for things like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. It’s a big deal.”
He says that while some roles will indeed change or disappear with the rise in automation, history shows new tech means new opportunities. “Think about it—30 years ago, jobs like ‘app developer’ or ‘data analyst’ didn’t even exist. The key is to adapt and upskill. Governments, industries, and educators need to work together to make sure people are prepared for these changes.”
The construction industry could benefit from robots and cobots (collaborative robots) to handle repetitive and hazardous construction work, such as on masonry walls, prefab elements assembly, and interior finishing. But these bots cause safety concerns when you consider how workers interact with them in shared workspaces.
Brian has been working with UC Doctoral student Zhe Zhang and A/Prof Goh Yang Miang (National University of Singapore) to address the emerging safety issue of human-robot collaboration in construction. They immerse workers in virtual reality to test their situational awareness and determine what safe robotics systems on construction sites actually look like. The immersive, realistic approach is a significant step toward successful hazard recognition performance. Robots work with and around humans, and never the opposite, after all.
“The bottom line is this: automation isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about making us more productive. And in a country like New Zealand, where productivity is a major challenge, embracing these technologies could be a game-changer. It could lead to higher wages, better-quality work, and a stronger economy. So instead of fearing automation, we should see it as a tool to help us build a brighter future.”
“Second, sustainable—this is a huge one.” Engineers are at the forefront of sustainability, making and maintaining our green built environment. Whether it’s life cycle assessments or renewable energy systems, David says the field is all about creating solutions that don’t just work for us now, but also leave a better world for future generations.
“The building industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions (30%), energy consumption (40%), and waste (32%) worldwide.”
There are many misconceptions about sustainable building practices: too expensive, not worth the effort, too complicated, worse on performance, and only for experts. Brian says the truth is that sustainable building is more accessible every day.
“A lot of folks assume that going green means spending a ton of money upfront, but they don’t always see the long-term savings. For example, energy-efficient buildings might cost a bit more to design and build, but they save heaps on power bills over time. It’s an investment that pays off.
“People sometimes think that eco-friendly materials or designs are less durable or functional, but that’s just not true. In fact, many sustainable materials are just as strong, if not stronger, and they often come with added benefits, like better insulation or improved air quality.”
And it’s not just about the environment. “While protecting the planet is a huge part of it, sustainable practices also focus on creating healthier, more comfortable spaces for people. Things like natural lighting, better ventilation, and non-toxic materials make buildings nicer to live and work in.”
Another research project that Brian is involved with explores energy retrofitting school buildings nationwide to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. It looks at the relationship between lifestyle cost and assessment, energy consumption, and thermal comfort to identify the optimal retrofit package that balances environmental and economic goals. Decisions regarding school buildings in New Zealand are never straightforward. This research aims to support decision-making processes for the education sector, which will contribute to the bigger picture of achieving New Zealand’s 2050 net-zero carbon emission target.
“Both projects highlight two big values for the future of engineering: sustainability and human-centric tech design. The school retrofit project focuses on cutting energy use and emissions in buildings, showing how engineering can help fight climate change and hit net-zero goals.
“The VR project uses immersive tech to make construction robots safer for workers, putting people first when designing new systems. Both projects show engineering’s role in creating a greener, safer future.
“Sustainable building isn’t just a trend—it’s a smarter way to build for the future. It’s about balancing cost, performance, and environmental impact to create spaces that work for people and the planet.”
“And finally, resilient—our world is facing more challenges, like climate change, natural disasters, and even pandemics. Engineers are focusing on designing infrastructure and systems that can bounce back from these shocks. Whether it’s buildings that can withstand earthquakes or cities that can handle floods, resilience is key to keeping communities safe and functional.”
New Zealand has a strong, innovative reputation for innovation, especially when it comes to sustainability and resilience, he says. Given our unique environment and the challenges we face, like earthquakes and climate change, we’ve become world leaders in designing disaster-resistant structures.
Resilience isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s a necessity. From seismic strengthening to climate-adaptive design, New Zealand engineers are constantly finding ways to future-proof our built environment.
Looking at the industry overall, there’s room for improvement. “One of the biggest opportunities is in research and development. Compared to other countries, New Zealand’s investment in academic research for civil and construction engineering is relatively low. If the government were to increase funding in this area, it could make a huge difference.
“This investment could focus on key areas like technology, automation, sustainability, and industry resilience—all of which align with our national strategy to improve productivity.”
The industry faces massive challenges. Higher building costs and economic uncertainty mean hesitance to start new projects, so fewer opportunities for construction companies and engineers. This has a ripple effect.
“Fewer projects mean less work, and that leads to the last issue—job losses. Unfortunately, when the industry slows down, people lose their jobs, and that’s been really hard on a lot of skilled workers and their families.”
Brian says there have already been many changes in his field since his PhD in 2012. “The next decade will bring even more transformation.
“We’ll see a lot more work on digitalisation, automation, and sustainability—these are already big topics, but they’ll become even more critical as we tackle global challenges like climate change and resource scarcity. Human-robot collaboration and the ethical implications of AI will also be huge areas of study, especially as these technologies become more integrated into our daily lives and industries.”
In line with this, Brian expects education and training to look very different, with a focus on interdisciplinary skills like coding, data analysis, and systems thinking. “Virtual and augmented reality could become standard tools for teaching and research, allowing students and academics to simulate complex scenarios and visualise data in new ways.”
The same goes for researchers. “With so much information and technology at our fingertips, the real challenge will be identifying the right problems to solve and framing them in a way that leads to meaningful solutions.” He predicts open-access journals will become the norm, bridging the gap between academia and industry and making research more inclusive and impactful.
“At the same time, I think the academic community has started valuing quality over quantity when it comes to publications. Instead of focusing on how many papers someone has published, we’ll care more about the depth, originality, and real-world impact of their work.”
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