What civil engineers are reading this week

• Will engineering firms add AI roles to organizational charts sooner than you think?

  Artificial intelligence tools can help civil engineers make better real-time decisions, improving outcomes on complex projects. How could the technology also transform how firms operate internally?

• New system to transform national flood prediction

  A new set of software tools, the Next Generation Water Resources Modeling framework, will help develop better predictions, a study reveals.

• Local, regional officials back plan that would invest in transportation infrastructure

  Eight leading local and regional government organizations announce their endorsement of new bipartisan legislation, the BASICS Act, to invest in transportation infrastructure.

• FAA closes airspace around El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, grounding all flights

  A Federal Aviation Administration website notice says the temporary restrictions are for “special security reasons,” but does not offer more details. It's likely to create significant disruptions.

• How you choose to manage the unexpected imperfections can make or break your project

  “Real-life engineering problems arise from a chaotic mix of needs, and real-life solutions involve creativity, adaptability, and compromise,” geotechnical engineer Maureen Merson says.

• Researchers warn of AI, data centers’ water impact

  Two separate reports warn the technology and the infrastructure needed to power it could exhaust water supplies. But each say policy could help avert the worst disasters.