F015: AI & Industrial Competitiveness

Even the most advanced AI systems are probabilistic by design, which makes them powerful but risky when applied to precision-driven manufacturing environments. In this session, Sunny Han, Founder and CEO of Fulcrum, explains how large language models actually work and what it takes to make AI trustworthy for shop operations. Drawing on real examples from U.S. manufacturers, he will discuss practical applications including daily production tracking, workforce training prioritization, and ITAR-compliant quality control, showing where AI delivers value today and where human judgment must remain in the loop. Attendees will gain a clear framework for deploying AI safely and effectively—moving beyond hype to systems that improve decision-making, productivity, and operational confidence.

Manufacturing has driven every major era of American renewal, but today the sector is under immense strain.

The U.S. has lost nearly half its skilled manufacturing base. In welding alone, 44% of the current workforce is 45 or older, with the industry facing a projected shortfall of 330,000 to 400,000 professionals by 2028. At the same time, demand across critical sectors such as energy infrastructure, defense, and AI data centers, is surging, leading to multi-year backlogs for critical infrastructure.

History is clear. Nations that can't make what they need lose leverage.

But every disruption has produced a manufacturing breakthrough. Physical AI for Manufacturing uses computer vision and machine learning to perceive real conditions and adapt in real time, handling complex, high-mix work that traditional automation couldn't touch, without depending on workers who aren't there.

This session examines how intelligent production systems can rebuild American manufacturing resilience that this moment demands.