Latest Insights from the EngX Community

  • Online safety: Can broadcasters rely on Meta’s limited accountability, trust & transparency in social media platforms?

    Explainability of artificial intelligence (AI) and the ethical aspects of recommendation algorithms have been widely discussed in many forums. Before delving into the topic of distribution platforms and the challenges they pose, it is worth noting that the radio broadcasting industry celebrated World Radio Day (WRD) on 13 February 2026. This year’s theme, announced by UNESCO, highlighted threats to trust, particularly arising from AI. WRD is a global celebration observed annually on February 13, recognising and thanking broadcasters for the news they deliver, the voices they amplify, and the stories they share. The theme for World Radio Day 2026 announced by UNESCO , was “Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice.” Today, AI presents new opportunities and challenges…

  • Robotics, standards, and the pathway to deployment: reflections from ERF 2026

    The European Robotics Forum (ERF) 2026, held in Stavanger, centred on Robotics for the blue economy and growth in space. This theme reflects an increasing convergence between advanced robotics and application domains where reliability, autonomy, and sustainable long-term operation under uncertainty are essential rather than desirable. Across the forum, a broader shift in emphasis was apparent. The discussion is moving beyond demonstrating technical capability towards addressing how robotic systems can be deployed and operated in real-world environments. This shift brings questions of system reliability, safety, and trust to the forefront. In this context, standardisation is becoming more central. One of the sessions highlighted ongoing work on ISO/IEC TS CD 22440, which addresses AI in…

  • Engineering better systems: reflections from International Women’s Day in Parliament

    International Women’s Day often centres on important conversations around representation, opportunity, and inclusion. Earlier in March, I had the opportunity to help organise and contribute to a discussion at the UK Parliament, bringing together leaders from across sectors to reflect on these themes. What stood out was not simply the diversity of perspectives in the room, but a recurring pattern in how challenges were described. Many of the barriers discussed, whether related to progression, visibility, or access, were framed as cultural or behavioural issues. While these are undoubtedly important, they are also, fundamentally, systemic. From an engineering perspective, systems tend to produce the outcomes they are designed for. If an outcome is persistent and widespread, it is often a…

    Param B. MBE

Latest IET EngX News

  • March Highlights on EngX: AI Insights, Inclusive Voices and Engineering Impact

    March was a month packed with fresh technical thinking, practical guidance, and human‑centred stories across the EngX community. From deep dives into industrial AI to personal reflections from engineers shaping their workplaces, here’s your roundup of what captured attention and sparked conversation this month. AI in Manufacturing: Why So Many Initiatives Stall One of the most thought‑provoking reads this month came from Dr Paul Johnson , whose article AI in Manufacturing: Why Most Initiatives Fail & How to Deliver Real Engineering Value explores why organisations continue to struggle with turning AI investment into meaningful operational outcomes. Johnson illustrates this through a real‑world predictive maintenance example where an AI model successfully identified early warning signs…

  • February Highlights on EngX: AI shifts, cyber reality checks, and conversations that got us thinking

    February on EngX brought another lively mix of thought‑provoking blogs, practical engineering discussions and broader reflections on how technology is shaping the world we work in. From unravelling sustainability terminology to exploring the foundations of AI, assessing the UK's cyber readiness and reflecting on the potential of hydro sites for pumped‑storage energy, the community continued to share knowledge and support one another. Here’s a round‑up of what caught the eye this month. Blogs worth a read ClimateTech, CleanTech, DeepTech… what’s the difference? Dr. Mohammad Harris tackled an issue that resonates across engineering and sustainability circles, the confusing overlap between terms like climate tech, clean tech and deep tech. Speaking from industry experience, he explained…

  • Innovation, Safety and Systems Thinking: January highlights on EngX

    The start of a new year always brings fresh conversations, new ideas, and thoughtful reflection, and January on IET EngX was no exception. From forward looking technical insights and policy discussions to lively forum debates and career focused questions, our community has been busy sharing knowledge and supporting one another. Here’s a roundup of some of the blogs and discussions that caught our attention during January 2026 and sparked great engagement across the platform. Blogs worth a read From racing cars to electric dreams: the origins of EV innovation One of the standout career‑focused blogs this month explored the career of Sir John Samuel from his early roots of electric vehicle innovation and tracing his journey from motorsport engineering to pioneering EV development. Personal…

Latest Partner News

  • Road to Engineering event introduces children to the world of engineering

    BAE System's Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge (SASK), Barrow-in-Furness successfully hosted the 6th Road to Engineering event which took place over three action-packed days. Over 200 children from the Furness area participated in the event which aims to inspire future careers in Engineering. This year's theme was 'Adapt and Change' following the British Science week theme. Supporting the event were the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, Barrow District of Associate Engineers and the Royal Institute of Naval Architects who contributed valuable insight, merchandise and STEM packs for schools. Stephen Rowe, Project Director of Engineering Transformation said, "It was a privilege to attend the Road to Engineering event and…

  • H&MV Engineering appointed as principal designer and contractor for the Thorpe Marsh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

    H&MV Engineering has been appointed as principal designer and contractor for the delivery of the 400 kV grid connection and electrical infrastructure for the Thorpe Marsh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) – the largest of its kind in the UK and among the largest in Europe. This landmark project, led by Fidra Energy and backed by major investment from EIG and the UK Government’s National Wealth Fund (NWF), has now reached financial close with construction commencing immediately. Located on the site of the former Thorpe Marsh coal-fired power station in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, the 1,400MW / 3,100MWh facility will be capable of exporting over 2 million MWh annually, supplying clean energy to approximately 785,000 homes. Once operational in mid-2027, it will be three times larger than…

  • In-flight Broadband Connectivity and Experimentation for Beyond 5G Networks “AeroNet”

    This work is supported by the HORIZON-MSCA-2024-SE-01-01, Project ID 101236523 and Innovate UK. Total amount is €1.8 million for five Universities and 3 Industries in EU and UK. Raed A Abd-Alhameed, Viktor Doychinov, Vuong Mai, Ifiok Otung University of Bradford, (UoB), Organisation in United Kingdom London South Bank University (LSB), Organisation in United Kingdom Technische Universität Dresden (TDN) - Organisation in Germany University of Athens (UoA) - Organisation in Greece University of Trento (UDT) - Organisation in Italy Fogus Innovations and Services PC (FGS) - Organisation in Greece Sigint Solutions Ltd (SGT) - Organisation in Cyprus JIO Platforms (JIO) - Organisation in Estonia Fogus Innovations and Service P.C. (FGS), Athens, Greece Sigint Solutions Ltd (SGT), Nicosia, Cyprus…

Latest articles from E+T Magazine

  • EU cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 40% but transport remains a weak spot

    The EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions have now fallen by 40% since 1990, according to official data. The latest statistics, which show a 3% fall between 2023 and 2024, underline a continued trend of declining emissions largely driven by a larger share of renewable energy, the use of less carbon intensive fossil fuels, improved energy efficiency and structural economic changes. According to a briefing from the European Environment Agency, almost all member states have contributed to the emission reductions. The most significant players were primarily from the Eastern side of the continent – former Soviet Union countries that have transitioned from carbon-heavy industrial economies after 1990. Estonia has seen a roughly 72% reduction since 1990, followed by Lithuania (62%) and Latvia (61…

  • Venice could be moved inland as rising seas outpace flood defences

    Relocating Venice to a new site has been mooted as one possible option to protect it from rising sea levels as the increasing number of flooding events threaten to overwhelm the city’s infrastructure. Scientists have been assessing potential adaptation strategies for Venice as part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth assessment report. Other possibilities include the installation of movable barriers, ring dikes and closing the Venetian Lagoon entirely. Venice is a particularly stark example of the challenges that many low-lying coastal areas face globally – with other areas such as the Maldives, the Netherlands and coastal cities also facing challenges in the future. Venice’s current flood defences include a trio of movable barriers at the lagoon’s edge, but the city…

  • JET uses robot workforce to undertake world-first decommissioning of a fusion plant

    This article has been provided by Salvador Pacheco-Gutiérrez, head of technology at RAICo, with additional input from Nick Jones, head of decommissioning at JET Decommissioning and Repurposing (JDR). Fusion decommissioning does not have the same problems as fission. Fusion machines will create far less radioactive waste, most of which is lower-level and shorter-lived. Nonetheless, dismantling a fusion machine at its end-of-life – as is now happening at JET in Culham – is a complex task with many hazards, with many materials that need to be removed, taken apart, packaged, and stored with the utmost caution. The nuclear industry knows a thing or two about these challenges. In particular, it has spent much time exploring how robots and AI can help deal with hazardous materials, whilst keeping…