AI, Workforce Development and the Future of Manufacturing

In this engaging episode, host Dean Phillips sits down with manufacturing technology expert Will Healy III to explore the rapid transformation of the industry. From AI-driven vision systems revolutionizing shop floors to the critical workforce challenges facing manufacturers, Will shares insights from his global travels visiting fabricators in Detroit, Shanghai and Germany.

Key topics include:

• How AI and image processing are changing manufacturing faster than anticipated
• Why Asia's adoption of robotics is accelerating innovation
• The workforce crisis: 730,000 unfilled jobs in manufacturing, warehousing and utilities
• Making Manufacturing Month matter through local community action
• Why opening your doors to students, parents and teachers can transform your talent pipeline
• Hiring for attitude and curiosity over specific skills

Will emphasizes that solving the workforce shortage requires local action—connecting young people to the "why" behind manufacturing and showing them how their work impacts the world.

About the Guest: Will Healy III, Global Industry Manager – Fabricating Metals, Teradyne
Will Healy III is enthusiastic about manufacturing, technology and workforce development. A Purdue University mechanical engineer who loves to share his passion for automation, Will is a global leader at Teradyne and with the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership (AMIP) in Cincinnati, OH. He speaks from personal experience about people-centric technology investments, managing culture change in organizations, bridging the manufacturing skills gap and creating value through automation. With more than 20 years of experience in a variety of industries including automotive, packaging, food and beverage, metal fabrication, welding and more; Will is widely published, is a regular podcast guest, is an in-demand panelist and presents internationally at a variety of industry conferences. Follow Will on YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn with the handle WillAutomate.