Recorded live at the Inspection Expo & Conference (IEC), this episode captures a powerful discussion on the future of welding inspection and the rapid integration of AI and automation into the field.

Jason Becker hosts a live panel featuring Amanda Young, Vice President of McNDT Pipeline, Ltd., and Lee Pialet, President of Pioneer Steel Services, Inc..

The conversation explores how digital weld scanning systems, AI-driven defect recognition, and code cross-referencing software are reshaping the role of the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).

Topics include:

• How AI interprets weld scan data • The reliability and limitations of automation in inspection • What skills remain irreplaceable • How inspectors can adapt without being replaced • The balance between craftsmanship and machine intelligence

AI is moving fast. The real question isn't whether it's coming — it's how we prepare for it.

If you're a CWI, welding engineer, fabricator, or industry decision-maker, this is a conversation you need to hear.

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