Digital tools enhance collaborative problem-solving.

The PCB design team gathers in the conference room for its weekly project review, but the atmosphere is tense and somber. Everyone feels the pressure as they realize the project is not meeting the planned timelines. Stress is palpable in the room as colleagues exchange worried glances and fidget with their notebooks and pens.

How tools are advancing the speed with which highly computational tasks are performed.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into printed circuit board (PCB) design is no longer a vision for the future; it is a reality. Advanced electronic design automation (EDA) tools now incorporate AI-driven solutions, providing a competitive edge for those ready to embrace this transformative technology. Yet, despite its availability and potential, many remain reluctant to adopt AI.

Given the current shortage and fierce competition for talent, the number of skilled engineers entering the industry is simply not enough, a workforce gap that continues to grow. Companies are addressing this issue as best they can. Current engineers are forced to do more with less, as well as cross-pollinate in disciplines outside their specialty in the quest for project success. New engineers must get up to speed faster, assuming more tasks while learning on the fly, which adds stress and concerns to the project as well as to each individual team member.