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10 SMT007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2025 innovation. Some EMS providers are clearly exper- imenting. Others are deploying AI in production environments but keeping it quiet. Still others are watching from the sidelines, unsure where to begin. In a competitive industry, waiting too long isn't a strategy, it's a risk, and the uncertainty isn't theoretical either. It affects investment decisions, workforce planning, and competitive positioning. A Quick Demonstration That Turned Heads At one of the early roundtables, I decided to show just how accessible AI has become. I gave an AI tool a simple prompt: "I want to write a song about a group of electronics manufacturing executives from competitors who are meeting together to dis- cuss common challenges." Within 10 minutes, and two iterations—one to produce lyrics and one to put them to music—the AI produced a complete song titled "Circuits & Suits." While most of us don't wear suits, the lyrics were strikingly close to reality, and captured the tone and themes of our discussions with uncanny accuracy. The reaction said it all: surprise, curiosity, and perhaps a hint of unease. That moment wasn't about music, though; it was about possibility. If AI can write a song that reso- nates with industry insiders in minutes, imagine what it can do for planning, supply chain optimiza- tion, document control, and/or predictive mainte- nance. The technology is here, but are we ready to use it? What's Really Happening on the Factory Floor? When leaders share specifics, the stories are compelling. One company described using AI- driven scheduling to reduce bottlenecks. Another talked about dramatically reducing debug and repair time. A third mentioned voice-enabled work instructions that helped operators navigate com- plex builds without flipping through binders. These are practical applications that improve efficiency and reduce stress for workers. But the catch is that most of these examples come with caveats. Most are still pilots, not full deployments. They require hands-on tuning and, more impor- tantly, a level of data discipline that many EMS companies are still developing. Security is the elephant in the room. Concerns about feeding sensitive company data into public AI tools surfaced repeatedly. Leaders worry about intellectual property exposure and compliance risks. It's a valid concern, and one more reason why governance, internal guidelines, and secure platforms must accompany adoption. The Timeline Debate and Why It Matters Now One of the debates in these roundtables is tim- ing. Are we only months away from game-chang- ing outcomes? Or do we still have years? Opinions vary widely. Some believe the technology is ready now, and adoption is the only barrier. Others argue that integration, cost, and workforce readiness will slow progress. Whether it's three months or three years, the conversation isn't about "someday." AI is already influencing decisions, workflows, and expecta- tions. Waiting for clarity is like crossing that busy highway without looking. You might make it across a few times, but not forever. M a rk Wo l fe