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38 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2026 Quick Win: Your First AI Conversation About PCB Fabrication Time: 5 minutes What to Do Open your AI tool of choice and start with this prompt: "I work in PCB fabrication. Explain, in simple terms, the basic steps of manufacturing a multilayer PCB, from incoming artwork to final electrical test. Then tell me which of those steps commonly creates the most scrap, delay, rework, or confusion in many shops. Be clear that this can vary a lot by prod- uct mix, equipment, and process control. Keep it practical, not theoretical. If you are unsure about anything shop-specific, say so instead of pretend- ing there is one universal answer." Ask one follow-up question tied to your own reality: "In my shop, the step I worry about most is [fill in the blank]. Give me three reasons that step creates trouble and three questions I should ask my team this week." What Success Looks Like You finish with one saved conversation and at least one moment where you think, "That was useful," or "That is where this thing is weak." Both will count. Months 1 and 2 are about beginning the conversa- tion and comparing AI's generic understanding to your fab's reality. • Choose a low-risk task with visible value • Give the AI enough context to understand your situation • Tell it what role to play • Ask it to interview you before answering • Ask for a specific output • Review the result carefully • Edit it like a professional • Save the prompt if it was useful The Invitation If you followed my prompts in Part 1, I said you don't have to become an AI expert right now. Just be a regular user. Don't buy AI and assume the job is done. Learn AI so you can use it in real work. Use it humbly, visibly, and carefully. Over the coming months, we'll talk about how to get better outputs, make AI part of your routine, use it in workflows that matter, and how shops begin turning their everyday use into something more durable. So, start simple and build capability. Your Monthly Challenge: Start Small and Real The following exercises are designed for Months 1–2: low-barrier, practical, and grounded in the kind of work PCB fabricators already do every day. The goal is to build your own capability. Good luck, and don't forget to have some fun with this. Note: If an AI response touches IPC criteria, customer requirements, process parameters, chemistry limits, equipment settings, or accept/ reject decisions, treat it as a draft for human review. AI is not the authority, so verify against your actual standards, specs, procedures, and shop knowledge before acting. I-CONNECT007 Sean Patterson is the founder of CrossGen AI. He previously served as COO & CTO at Summit Interconnect, held senior multisite roles at TTM Tech- nologies, and was CRO of Nano Dimension, a former Amazon executive and U.S. Navy Submarine Veteran. PROMPT 1