On Thursday 16th October, the People's Palace was filled with around 80 enthusiastic students bringing energy and curiosity. As part of the Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Engineering module, a guest lecture was delivered by Dr Martina Sciola from MathWorks on AI in Engineering Systems – Challenges and Solutions.

Dr Sciola began by showcasing several real-world engineering applications where machine learning techniques are driving innovation across different sectors. She then introduced key machine learning concepts and demonstrated how MATLAB can be effectively used to solve complex engineering problems using AI-driven approaches.

The lecture focused on an efficient AI workflow that integrates data preparation, AI modelling, simulation and testing, and deployment. To make the concepts more tangible, Dr Sciola presented a case study on predictive maintenance, demonstrating how to design an algorithm capable of identifying pump faults using MATLAB tools.

The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment, where students actively posed insightful questions about AI modelling and real-world implementation challenges. To encourage participation, Dr Sciola also distributed small MATLAB gifts (e.g. T-shirt, Stickers, Pens) to the attending students.

The lecture was a great success, offering students valuable insights into practical AI applications in engineering and deepening their understanding of how industrial tools like MATLAB can support innovation in this rapidly evolving field.