Looking Ahead: 2025 Predictions in Manufacturing, AI, and Beyond
By John W. Mitchell, IPC president and CEO
With the New Year right around the corner, it’s time to pull out the crystal ball and think about what may come to pass in the coming months.
In my role leading IPC, the global electronics association, here are a few of my predictions for the electronics industry and some of our key issues:
Artificial Intelligence
Prediction: If 2024 was AI’s proving ground, 2025 will be about leveling up. Think fewer dystopian fears and more tools that blend creativity and efficiency, proving collaboration is the future of work. Picture tech that’s smart, ethical, and maybe—finally—able to tell the difference between “write” and “right.” It’s about time, autocorrect. 😉
AI will help us unlock new potential in how we collaborate—whether it’s automating the routine or sparking fresh ideas for complex problems. In 2025, AI won’t replace us; AI will feel like a true partnership—one that’s practical, intelligent, and, yes, a little more human. It will make us better at what we do.
Sustainability
Prediction: In 2025, greener electronics will be the ultimate bragging right—and companies won’t hold back. Forget marketing claims about megapixels and screen resolution; the big flex will be shrinking carbon footprints, using recyclable materials, and adopting energy-efficient designs.
As consumers, we’ll start asking questions like, “How sustainable is this product?” with the same enthusiasm we’ve shown for “What’s the battery life?” The best part? This shift isn’t just a win for marketing; it’s a win for the planet and the people living on it.
Workforce
Prediction: By 2025, degrees will take a backseat to what truly matters: skills. Lifelong learning will be the name of the game. Upskilling for the AI age won’t just be possible—it’ll be accessible and, dare we say, exciting. Teams will be agile; roles will evolve with the speed of technology; and your ability to learn and adapt will be your biggest superpower in this ever-changing workplace.
Hiring
Prediction: In 2025, new hire candidates won’t just ask about your salaries—they’ll ask about your values. A lack of inclusiveness, green practices, and flexibility will be deal-breakers. If companies want to stand out in an increasingly competitive market, they’ll need to show they’re not just in it for profit, but for people and the world.
Smart companies will focus more on how candidates approach real-world challenges and demonstrate critical thinking. A company’s commitment to personnel development, sustainability, and authentic employee engagement will make the difference between attracting top-tier candidates or losing them to a competitor.
Electronics Industry
Prediction: 2025 will be the year that opinion leaders start to understand that things like the internet, AI, and apps don’t happen without great electronics! Yes, the most advanced chips are amazing, but they are just inert pieces of very expensive silicon without the most advanced interconnect technologies, which are brought to you by IPC members.
In today’s world, our lives depend on electronics. Every industry vertical from agriculture to aerospace depends on electronics to deliver gains in efficiency, capability, and intelligence. Thanks to persistent efforts by IPC and our partners, the world will better understand that electronics are critical infrastructure and deserving of more attention and support.
As the year wraps up, it’s the perfect time to reflect, recharge, and gear up for what’s next. On behalf of IPC, I wish you a holiday season full of warmth, connection, and plenty of reasons to celebrate. I’m grateful to be on this journey with the electronics industry, partners, and teammates, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together in the year ahead.