Artificial intelligence is applied to electronics design and manufacturing is in its infancy, but interest is high and questions abound as to what it means – and even what it is.

AI is seen as similar to the Internet in 1995: a big, wide-open technology that companies had to embrace and understand. Success depends on narrow implementations that permit companies to see clearly what the return or improvements will be.

AI holds the potential to revolutionize the creation and manufacturing of electronic products. Unlocking this potential, however, requires collaborative efforts to ensure its effective understanding and implementation. Without concerted action, the realization of AI's transformative promise in the electronics industry may remain elusive.

To address this challenge, the PCEA Technical Action Group (AI TG) convened a meeting of select representatives of early adopters and providers of AI tools for the electronics sector. The primary aim of this gathering is to solicit input from industry stakeholders to shape an AI Status and Action Plan.

Should components for military use be made in a dedicated secure facility?

That’s the basic thinking behind a $3.5 billion allocation by the US government to support an undisclosed chipmaker, presumably Intel, to develop a classified advanced semiconductor development project. The monies at the root of the issue touched off yet another question, that is, whether Chips Act funds were misused when routed to the so-called Secure Enclave program.

The Chips Act, of course, is the foundational legislation upon which the US strategy of reclaiming semiconductor manufacturing dominance is built.

Years ago, the major semiconductor foundries, including Intel, Motorola and others, had designated government segments. Their demise more or less concluded with the rollout of new defense procurement policies, now known as the Perry Initiative.

Several notable colleges are undergoing crises on their campus as students, faculties and administrations wrestle with how – or even whether – to respond to events taking place far from home, in particular in the Middle East.

The ongoing protests on college campuses have brought to light many conflicting points of view, and generated tremendous reaction well outside the sphere of the student bubble. It’s not necessary to recap all the outrage and countermeasures here. But there are obvious business implications that, in my opinion, merit some consideration.

Near the end of April, we welcomed Audrey McGuckin back to the PCB Chat podcast. McGuckin spent 22 years with Jabil in a variety of roles culminating as vice president and chief talent officer, and has experience living and working all over the world: Singapore, China, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, France, and Spain as well as the US, where she has called home for the past 25 years. Her eponymously named consulting group offers advice on strategy, operations, and human resources to executives across a variety of industries, including many in companies in the electronics supply chain.

Are the days of the mega-merger over, or are we just about to experience a new wave?

A good case could be made for either. Which we should root for is another matter.

In Europe, GPV’s merger with its slightly larger competitor Enics in late 2022 created a $1.5 billion entity, sending the combined entity barreling up the CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY Top 50 list. Then consider Kontron and Katec, another rollup that now exceeds a billion dollars plus in sales. When it comes to M&A, Europe at least seems to have it “going on.”

Asia isn’t playing second fiddle. China Electronics Corp., one of the mainland’s largest entities, helps underwrite Nanjing Huadong Electronics, which bought top 15 EMS company TPV Technology in a reverse merger in 2021. TPV’s annual revenues are in the $7.5 billion range. That’s serious cabbage.