Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1520492
REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2024 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE I I-CONNECT007 163 career pathways in the electronics indus- try. To learn more, check out this new white paper coauthored by IPC's David Hernandez, Carlos Plaza, and John Mitchell, which was released during the show. 8. Great Keynotes on AI, workforce, and "moonshots:" IPC CEO Dr. John W. Mitchell spoke to the future of the work- force and made the case that workplace connections and workforce development will be even more important in the future as artificial intelligence (AI) brings about greater productivity and innovation. IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac focused on AI as well, providing a frame- work for how companies and individuals can navigate this period of fast-paced technological change. Former Walt Disney Imagineer Paul Bailey discussed the kind of workplace culture and practices necessary to undertake bold projects like moonshots. I'm not sure I completely agreed with his concept of aligning risk tolerance within a team, but he's got me thinking. 9. Advanced packaging: Matt Kelly orga- nized a very well-attended advanced packaging technical session, "Insights on NextGen Packaging: Needs for UHDI and IC Substrates." The session featured experts on materials, fabrication, and market trends and focused on the incred- ible gains industry is making, underscored by the herculean task any one company has in moving from PCBs to substrates. Great session! 10. Community: This show can often feel feverish, with attendees focused on learning, networking, exhibiting, and cultivating new business. But I'm reminded each year that it is, above all, about community—one in which friend- ship and admiration flourish in the collective process of designing and building electronics better. I look forward to seeing you all next year in Anaheim at IPC APEX EXPO 2025. S&T Chris Mitchell is vice president of IPC global government relations, and an I-Connect007 columnist. Read his columns here. Jesse Ziomek, Global Sales Director, DIS Incorporated We're standing here next to your display and I'm watching this amazing robotic arm go back and forth. It is a universal robot automation system. Rather than designing this with our own thoughts and putting it into the market, we surveyed customers and asked them to tell us all the features they like and don't like about automation. The two biggest concerns we heard were footprint and outside integration costs. So, the main things we wanted to display here are our small footprint, and that because we wrote our own software and have provided a "teach" mode, we have eliminated outside integration costs. That's why you've been seeing that this is the automation game changer for footprint and zero integration requirements. Jesse, continued good luck to you and DIS. Interview by Marcy LaRont Jesse Ziomek FROM THE