Council Post: The Future Is Now: Transforming PCB Manufacturing Using Artificial Intelligence

Geopolitical tensions and pandemic-related disruptions have revealed deep vulnerabilities within the supply chain for manufacturers as well as the businesses and governments that rely on them. In particular, the well-documented global shortage of semiconductors, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and other essential electronic components have limited the production of everything from automobiles to medical devices and critical infrastructure. To mitigate risk, manufacturers are exploring ways to increase the efficiencies by which such components are produced. In parallel, recent legislation such as the CHIPS Act has endeavored to boost domestic semiconductor research and manufacturing. Although most of the commentary is focused on semiconductors, the CHIPS Act also applies to PCBs and complements industry standards such as IPC-1791 to combat poor quality and counterfeit components.