In 2025 and beyond, semiconductor sales—along with employment opportunities for engineers in the dynamic chip industry—are expected to rise precipitously.

Semiconductor sales are projected to hit nearly US$700 billion in 2025, grow to US$1 trillion by 2030, and potentially reach US$2 trillion by 2040, according to a Deloitte Insights report.

A number of trends are driving the semiconductor industry forward. First, post-pandemic sales of computers, tablets, smartphones, and other wireless and wired communications devices—which collectively accounted for nearly 60% of global semiconductor sales as of 2023-2024—are forecasted to experience strong growth during the next five to ten years. Additionally, demand for high-tech “generative AI chips” is on the rise. These chips enable computers’ central processing units (CPUs) to execute machine learning algorithms for everything from facial recognition applications to customer service-related chatbots, language processing for voice assistants, and more. 

On the design side, growth of the semiconductor market is supported by an increasingly popular chip manufacturing strategy known as “shift left,” which enables tasks that were once performed sequentially to be done concurrently for greater efficiency and cost savings.

Working to Meet Demand

To keep pace with projected growth, manufacturers are expanding capacity worldwide:

For example, after investing US$65 billion into chip fabrication facilities in Phoenix, Arizona in 2020, industry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) recently announced additional investment of US$100 billion in order to double that location’s manufacturing capacity. Supported by almost US$8 billion in funding from the U.S. CHIPS (“Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors”) and Science Act of August 2022, key player Intel recently announced its plans to invest US$100 billion to expand its U.S-based domestic chip manufacturing capacity and capabilities in Arizona and Ohio. 

Elsewhere around the world, STMicroelectronics recently announced its intention to build a new, high-volume manufacturing facility in France. Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) is working to expand three of its existing Chinese facilities in Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin. Manufacturers Nvidia, AMD, and Micron have all announced plans to establish new operations in India.

A Skills Gap Persists

While worldwide sales of semiconductors, as well as manufacturing capacity to meet demand, are all on the uptick, one major challenge stands to potentially derail production: a global shortage of skilled workers.

In the U.S. alone, new semiconductor facilities are short by nearly 70,000 workers needed to staff them.

Of those positions, approximately 41% are in the engineering fields, 39% are technician roles, and another 20% are in computer science. This shortage threatens to impair the industry’s potential in the years to come, according to a study by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). Furthermore, a recent report claimed that an estimated 400,000 additional professionals would be needed to fulfill Europe’s semiconductor industry goals, while China was some 30,000 workers short of meeting its semiconductor targets.

“Because semiconductors are foundational to virtually all critical technologies of today and the future,” the SIA study confirmed, “closing the talent gap in the chip industry will be central to the promotion of growth and innovation throughout the economy.”

Experts from Deloitte agreed, noting that the semiconductor field will need “electrical engineers to design chips and the tools that make the chips,” while “digital skills, such as cloud, AI, and analytics, are needed in design and manufacturing more than ever.”

Positioning Engineers for Success in Semiconductors and AI

To support workforce development, IEEE offers online learning programs that equip semiconductor professionals with cutting-edge AI and chip design skills. These include:

  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Chip Design:
    Offered by IEEE Educational Activities in partnership with IEEE Future Directions and IEEE Global Semiconductors, this course program discusses the significance of artificial intelligence and machine learning. It provides an overview of how these technologies are shaping the future of chip design as well as key applications in design automation, relevant technologies, deployment considerations, and future prospects.
  • Integrating Edge AI and Advanced Nanotechnology in Semiconductor Applications:
    This five-course program created in partnership with the IEEE Computer Society helps learners understand the intersection of artificial intelligence, edge computing, and nanotechnology with real-life applications and future trends.
  • Semiconductor Manufacturing: Impact and Effectiveness of AI
    This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the evolving landscape of semiconductor manufacturing with special emphasis on the integration of artificial intelligence into this critical industry.

Upon successfully completing the programs, participants earn professional development credits, including Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs). They’ll also receive a digital badge highlighting their proficiency in the technology area which can be showcased on social media.

For institutional access, contact an IEEE Content Specialist. Individuals can explore and enroll directly via the IEEE Learning Network.

 

A successful career in engineering isn’t only about having strong technical expertise. It also hinges on your ability to communicate clearly, engage and motivate others, demonstrate business acumen, and lead teams effectively. Deficits in any of these skillsets can significantly impair an engineer’s career trajectory.

Strong leadership skills are key to any manager’s or company’s success. Conversely, weakness in this area can undermine that pursuit. For example, a study found that nearly four out of five employees who recently quit their job attributed their decision to a lack of leadership or recognition in their company. Similarly, a Gallup survey of more than one million employees nationwide revealed that 75% of respondents who had quit their jobs did so because of their manager, not the position. The results confirm the old saying that “people leave managers, not companies.”

This reality is especially hard-felt in the engineering community. Many electrical and electronics engineers confirm that all or most of their academic training focused on mastery of STEM-related technical skills, with little to no time spent on developing their leadership, communication, business, or people skills.

More Than Technical Knowledge Needed to Succeed

The fallout of this skills gap has been felt across many tech-related fields. Based on discussions with dozens of executives in tech companies, a recent report identified the top five reasons why advanced-degree scientists and engineers fail in leadership roles – and they don’t relate to their technical knowledge at all. Rather, their failures were attributed to poor communication skills, lack of people skills, lack of strategic thinking, inability to develop talent, and poor time management.

As engineers progress in their careers, their responsibilities often expand beyond just technical expertise. Successive positions up the ladder will require skillsets such as managing projects, engaging and motivating employees, collaborating with other teams, planning and budgeting, demonstrating vision, and employing a range of other business and leadership skills.

This is confirmed by a Harvard Business School study, which identified “leadership” as one of the top business skills that tech and engineering employers seek in their candidates, along with strengths in communication, management, problem-solving, business operations, research, and critical thinking.

Experts agree that without these foundational skills, technical professionals will only go so far. In a recent study, for example, 73% of companies surveyed felt that business, leadership, and cognitive skills were lacking among prospective candidates. This gap will limit the growth and success of organizations and candidates alike.

The good news in all of this?

A recent study cited in Forbes revealed that only 20-30% of leadership skills are actually innate and that some 70% of leadership qualities can be acquired through experience and education. In other words, tech professionals can learn to be strong and effective leaders.

Let the IEEE Professional Development Suite Help You and Your Team Hone Your Business and Leadership Skills

Invest in your professional development and further your goal of moving up the corporate ladder by exploring the IEEE Professional Development Suite. This collection of training programs is specially designed to suit the needs of professionals at any stage of their career.

  • IEEE Leading Technical Teams offers learners the essential skills and strategies required to help technical teams achieve their goals. The curriculum features live interactive training, engaging case studies, and practical, real-world exercises. Discover the latest trends and best practices in technical leadership and gain the confidence to navigate complex challenges. Learn more and register for a virtual or in-person sessions! 
  • The IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers is specifically designed to help engineers and technology professionals secure the critical business skills that are important for long-term career success. Offered in short, flexible, and engaging modules, learners will receive a foundational overview of key business topics such as accounting, communication, ethics, finance, managerial economics, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, operations, and strategic management as well as practices to help align technical capabilities with business goals. Learn more! 
  • The newly launched IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA: Artificial Intelligence seeks to demystify AI for business managers and leaders. Learn how AI can be used to address business pain points, optimize processes, better serve customer needs, and improve an organization’s bottom line. Get the skills needed to take a strategic, business view of AI and understand its real-world applications within your own department and organization. Learn more!

 

Resources:

Powitzky, Elizabeth. (25 May 2018). Great Leaders Are Made, Not Born: Six Strategies for Becoming a Better Leader. Forbes.

Kizer, Kristin. (29 June 2023). 35+ Powerful Leadership Statistics [2023]: Things All Aspiring Leaders Should Know. Zippia.

Lewis, Greg. (11 August 2022). Industries with the Highest (and Lowest) Turnover Rates. LinkedIn.

Boyles, Michael. (10 January 2023). Leadership in Engineering: What It Is & Why It’s Important. Harvard Business School.

Hyacinth, Brigette. (27 December 2017). Employees Don’t Leave Companies, They Leave Managers. LinkedIn.

Upwork.Adams, Angelique. Top 5 Reasons Advanced-Degree Scientists and Engineers Fail in Leadership Roles. LinkedIn.

Landry, Lauren. (5 January 2023). 6 Business Sills Every Engineer Needs. Harvard Business Review. 

Barnes, Cory. Soft Skills for Engineers: The importance of communication, teamwork, and other non-technical skills in a highly technical field. LinkedIn. 

Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and celebrated every February since 1951, Engineers Week was established to recognize how much engineers have contributed to society and the critical role that engineering plays in our lives. Celebrated this year from 16-22 February, Engineers Week stands as a reminder of how engineers have changed the world.

A History of Innovation

Throughout history, electrical engineers in particular have been responsible for some of the world’s most pivotal inventions.

Among them, Thomas Edison’s 1,000+ patents throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries included the incandescent light bulb and phonograph. Edison also established electric utilities, which helped make electricity more accessible to homes and businesses. (The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) was also first published in the early 20th century.) Around the same time, Nikola Tesla’s development of AC electrical systems, as well as his invention of the Tesla coil and induction motor, revolutionized telecommunications, power transmission/generation, and wireless technology. In the 1950s, Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce’s joint invention of the integrated circuit led to the miniaturization of electronic devices and the rise of personal computers, smart phones, semiconductors, and modern electronics.

Shaping Society Through Technology

More recently, electrical engineers have driven some of the most important developments shaping society today. These include smart grids, which enable electric utilities to engage in two-way communications with customers and make real-time adjustments, as well as energy storage systems, which promote electric resiliency by allowing for the storage of renewable energy (generated by solar power, wind, etc.) for use at a later time. Popular everyday items such as smart watches, thermostats, fitness trackers, telehealth systems, and many other devices are possible thanks to the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), which enables “connected” devices to collect, analyze, and share data. 

Elsewhere, the recent development and proliferation of electric vehicles aims to help reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change. Additionally, the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and quantum computing will continue to transform everything from healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation to customer service, banking, gaming, semiconductor design, weather forecasting, and more. This led Time Magazine to identify AI as a major force that will “reshape the world.”

Breakthrough developments like those above – as well as inventions that have yet to be imagined – rely on the technical expertise, vision, and creative efforts of electrical engineers. These professionals serve within a high-demand field worldwide. They can apply their talents to indelibly impact any number of diverse and dynamic industries.

Simply put, the field of engineering is positioned firmly at the edge of innovation, and the efforts of electrical engineers in particular are critical to the operation of modern society.

IEEE: Keeping You at the Forefront

Each year, Engineers Week helps increase public awareness regarding the positive contributions engineers make while also promoting careers in engineering and shining a spotlight on the importance of technical education.

As the professional home for the technology community worldwide for generations, IEEE has long been a renowned source of education in the broad range of fields that it encompasses. In honor of Engineers Week, the IEEE Learning Network (ILN) is offering a 25% discount on some of its most popular course programs. The special discount is available through 11:59 pm ET on 28 February 2025. Simply use code EW25 at checkout!

Eligible course programs include:

Engineers Week is a great time to celebrate the field of engineering and invest in yourself. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn something new while earning professional development credit and digital badges that will enable you to showcase your new skillset!

 

Resources

National Engineers Week. National Today.

Engineers Week. National Society of Professional Engineers.

The Top 20 Famous Engineers Who Shaped the Modern World. Discover Engineering.

Kerwin, Jenna. (31 January 2025). Technology Trends in Electrical Engineering. Excelsior University.

Suleyman, Mustafa. How the AI Revolution Will Reshape the World. Time.

Hamilton, Ilana. (7 February 2024). 5 Careers in Electrical Engineering to Consider. Forbes.

10 Examples of Internet of Things (IoT) in Everyday Life. Nike Oregon Project.

Cloke, Harry. (28 July 2022). 70 Powerful Quotes About Learning to Inspire You! Growth Engineering.

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just a buzzword. Its impact touches most of our lives every day.

For organizations, AI is currently being used to achieve a variety of business objectives. Applications include offering customers product recommendations to assisting with internal inventory management, reducing fraud and cybersecurity threats, operating digital personal assistants that save time, streamline processes, and enable businesses to make better use of their data, and more. But whatever its application, a 2024 McKinsey study reveals that AI is currently being employed in one way or another by over 70% of all companies worldwide. And AI’s role in organizations across every sector is only expected to grow in the future.

Despite AI’s growing presence in company operations around the globe, the reality is that AI remains a source of confusion for employees.

A whopping 84% of employees reported being unclear about what generative AI is or how it works, according to a 2024 survey by technology research and advisory firm Valoir. Similarly, 77% of all employees surveyed felt that they didn’t have adequate training in AI tools or that they fully understood how AI related to their jobs, according to the 2024 Digital Work Trends Report. Furthermore, managers didn’t fare much better than their employees. 73% of professionals at the managerial level confessed that they didn’t feel completely educated on, knowledgeable about, or trained in AI.

Implementing AI Strategies

Ultimately, strategic use of AI can significantly enhance the efficiency of business functions and processes. When AI takes over automating repetitive, manual tasks, employees have time to work on more productive, revenue-generating activities. It’s estimated that AI’s capabilities have the potential to automate tasks that account for up to 60-70% of the average employee’s time.

Because AI can analyze large amounts of data faster and at a scale beyond human capacity, it can open new doors to data analytics. Business activities that can benefit from the strengths of AI include forecasting revenue, predicting customer attrition, and identifying trends in employee retention. AI can also alerting professionals about the risk of customer fraud, manufacturing equipment breakdowns, and other potential issues in advance.

In the IT field, AI-driven detection models can be trained to boost security monitoring and identify and prevent BOTs and other cyber security threats from infiltrating a company’s enterprise systems.

Within a company’s financial functions, AI can be used to automate tasks, reduce mistakes, and save time and money. For example, payroll that’s manually processed contains an up to 8% level of human error. Properly-deployed AI and machine learning can help correct this issue.

Overall, the effective use of AI can help organizations enjoy more data-driven decision-making, improved resource allocation, more targeted and personalized customer experiences, more streamlined project management, and the delivery of more in-depth insights on market trends that can fuel new product development. As a result, business leaders who have a firm grasp on the benefits AI can deliver, how AI can be applied to their company’s operations, and how to properly deploy it will be better positioned for career success.“

For all the predictive insights AI can deliver, advanced machine learning engines often remain a black box,” acknowledged McKinsey & Company experts. However, it’s a challenge that business leaders are encouraged to face head-on to benefit their organization and their own career trajectory.

Let IEEE Empower You Through Education in AI

IEEE offers a range of educational resources that can help you better understand AI’s expanding role in business today so that your organization can harness and capitalize on its power.

Introducing the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA: Artificial Intelligence Program
Designed to demystify AI for business managers and leaders, the new IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA: Artificial Intelligence program takes a strategic, non-IT view of AI. The program provides the foundational knowledge to assess AI’s analytical and decision-making capabilities. It will help you identify how AI can address business pain points, optimize processes, better serve customer needs, and improve an organization’s bottom line.

The highly specialized, 12-week program covers an introduction to AI as well as topics such as data analytics, process optimization, the benefits and application of AI to marketing and sales, customer service, the supply chain, and finance functions, ethics in AI, and the impact AI will have on careers, colleagues, and competencies in the future. The training features engaging real-world case studies, practical insights, forward-thinking ideas, and actionable strategies designed to help learners integrate AI into their operations. It also incorporates an invaluable capstone project experience, enabling students to take what they learned throughout the Mini-MBA program and apply those concepts to a specific business challenge.

Ideal for senior managers, directors, VP-level professionals, engineers, and young professionals looking to distinguish themselves in the job market, the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA: Artificial Intelligence program delivers competitive advantages to both learners and their organizations by successfully complementing technical skills with a strategic, business overview of AI and its real-world applications. Learn more and save your seat today!

Flexible Online Learning Programs for Semiconductor Companies

IEEE has created several eLearning courses designed to enhance AI knowledge and skills that are key to individuals within the semiconductor industry. These educational resources will help ensure that employees are well-versed in the latest AI advancements and equipped with practical skills to drive innovation and strategically deploy AI for maximum success and efficiency within their organization. Resources include:

These course programs are also available to individuals through the IEEE Learning Network (ILN), providing flexible learning options for professionals at all levels.

Upon successfully completing the programs, participants earn professional development credits, including Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs). They’ll also receive a shareable digital badge highlighting their proficiency in the technology area which can be showcased across various social media platforms.

If you are interested in obtaining institutional access to any of these programs through your organization, please contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

 

Resources:

(30 May 2024). The State of AI in Early 2024. McKinsey & Company.

2024 Digital Work Trends Report. Slingshot.

February 2024). Language Matters: AI User Perceptions. Valoir.

Sterling, Terry. (30 January 2024). 11 Reasons Why Leaders Need to Understand Artificial Intelligence (AI). Balanced Scorecard Institute.

June 2023. The Economic Potential of Generative AI. McKinsey & Company.

Kempton, Beth. (22 August 2024). 10 Ways to Use AI in Business in 2025. Upwork.

Grennan, Liz, Kremer, Andreas, Singla, Alex, and Zipparo, Peter. (29 September 2022). Why Businesses Need Explainable AI—and How to Deliver It. McKinsey & Company.

green-engineering-climate-change-innovation

The evolution to the use of cleaner, “greener” energy sources worldwide isn’t a matter of if, but when.

It’s reported that the year 2030 will see a nearly ten-fold increase in the number of electric vehicles on the road relative to current levels. The presence of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology will generate a significantly greater share of electricity than it does today. Another prediction is the sale of electric heat pumps will overtake fossil fuel-consuming boilers for the first time. Plus, 2030 could see three times more investment in offshore wind turbines than conventional coal- and gas-fired power plants.

All of this green activity will result in a significant rise in the global share of electricity generated by renewable sources, a number which currently stands at 29-30% but could nearly double to roughly 50% in the next five years, according to the 2023 World Energy Outlook. 

A Historic Transition

Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas are major contributors to global climate change. As explained in a short informative video from the Museum of Science, Boston, data reveals that since the 1960s, atmospheric CO2 has increased 100 times faster in the past 60 years than in all previous natural increases.

By contrast, green/renewable energy generated by naturally replenishable sources emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the atmosphere. (These sources include the sun, wind, water, waste, and the Earth’s own heat.)

Based on the abundance and accessibility of green energy sources globally, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) believes that 90% of the world’s electricity could be generated by renewable energy by 2050. Among its many benefits, green energy is a less-expensive source than fossil fuel-generated electricity. With World Health Organization studies attributing over 13 million deaths globally to air pollution and other environmental hazards each year, green energy is also a far safer and healthier source. According to industry experts, the growth of renewable energy will also drive a wealth of employment opportunities. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that the coming decade will create more than 30 million jobs to support the design and manufacture of green, low-emission, renewable technologies in the coming decade. This figure would significantly offset the five million jobs that may be lost within the waning field of fossil fuel production.

Green Energy Advancements Abound

A wide variety of innovative technologies are helping usher in a new day in the green energy landscape. These include ongoing advancements in solar power and battery energy storage (BESS), developments in the growing field of windmills and wind turbines, and the emergence of smart grid technologies that enable intelligent and efficient two-way monitoring of energy transmission, consumption, distribution, and maintenance.

Additionally, green radio techniques are boosting efficiency and reducing the power consumption associated with modern wireless cellular networks.

A new class of power semiconductors are supporting the drive trains that deliver power from a vehicle’s engine to its wheels in the growing population of electric vehicles.

Furthermore, across many other industries, artificial intelligence (AI) has been identified as “an enabler of cleaner energy deployment.” For example, AI can analyze trends in big data to improve energy output at the generating level, make strategic decisions regarding electric grid planning, and efficiently manufacture the semiconductors that power many green technologies, including autonomous and electric vehicles, mobile phones, laptops, LEDs, and more.

Leading the Way in Green Engineering eLearning

Let IEEE help inform your understanding of climate change and green engineering. The microlearning course, Engineering Solutions for a Sustainable Future, is a great way to get started!

It covers a broad range of timely and critical climate change-related topics, such as intelligent urban networks that can reduce congestion, V2G solutions for distribution system reliability, and hybrid home energy management systems for emission reduction. Other green innovations covered in the course include sustainable Internet of Things (IoT) device development solutions, optimum energy-efficient data center policies for climate control, optimized resource scheduling based on export rates, battery swapping stations for electric vehicles, and more. The course’s informative and highly accessible 7- to 10-minute modules provide learners with a solid overview of the many pressing engineering and sustainability challenges as well as the innovative solutions making headlines in today’s green energy arena.

As a globally recognized organization that plays a significant role in shaping the fields of electrical engineering, electronics, and computer science, IEEE is committed to help combat, mitigate effects of, and adapt to climate change through the coordination and education of engineers, scientists, and technical professionals. In an effort to address growing concerns about climate change and its impact on various industries, IEEE offers eLearning specifically focused on climate change.

Additional IEEE Climate Change eLearning Courses

As a globally recognized professional organization playing a significant role in shaping the fields of electrical engineering, electronics, and computer science, IEEE offers a wide variety of eLearning courses related to climate change. Available courses include:

Interested in accessing these courses for your organization? Contact an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn about the IEEE eLearning Library.

 

Resources:

(24 October 2023). The Energy World is Set to Change Significantly by 2030, Based on Today’s Policy Settings Alone. International Energy Agency.

Renewable Energy – Powering a Safer Future. United Nations.

Climate Change. IEEE TryEngineering.

(16 March 2021). Fast-Track Energy Transitions to Win the Race to Zero. International Renewable Energy Agency.

Sinha, Sumant. (26 February 2024). AI Can Power The Green Energy Transition. Forbes.

Recent advances in edge computing and edge artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing a broad range of industries and enabling a new age in predictive analysis and operational performance—so what exactly is edge AI and how is it changing the way businesses operate?

Edge AI refers to AI computations that are performed near the user at the “edge” of a network and close to where the data is located—which could be a retail store, a workplace, or an actual device such as a phone or a traffic light—rather than long distances away in a central cloud computing facility or private data center. Recent advances in machine learning and high-speed computing, along with the ongoing worldwide adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices that continue to deliver faster and more reliable connectivity, have led to the growing deployment of AI models at the edge.

Ultimately, one of the reasons why AI has been so successful when paired with edge computing is because modern-day AI algorithms have become increasingly sensitive to real-world issues and conditions. From the field of healthcare to agriculture and everything in between, AI has become more capable than ever of recognizing patterns and trends within the wide range of different circumstances that are present in real life. As a result, artificial intelligence is highly effective in edge applications and would be far less feasible, and, in some cases, even impossible to deploy in a centralized cloud or private data center. This is due to issues related to latency (delays in network communication), bandwidth (the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a specified amount of time), and privacy (the ability to control how personal data is collected, stored, and used).

Because edge technology performs analyses on data locally through decentralized capabilities, it can respond to user needs much quicker while also significantly reducing networking costs for an organization because it requires less internet bandwidth. Furthermore, the processing of data isn’t reliant on internet access, so mission-critical and time-sensitive AI applications can enjoy greater access and reliability. These edge computing benefits combined with the expanding flexibility and “intelligence” of AI neural networks are allowing organizations to capitalize on real-time insights at a lower cost and with greater security and privacy.

Edge AI Use Cases

Edge AI is being recognized as a pivotal technology that will continue to have a major impact on new product development, the streamlining of processes, and the user experience across a broad range of industries.

In the utility industry, for example, edge AI models are combining historical data, weather patterns, and other inputs to more efficiently generate and distribute energy to customers. 

In manufacturing, sensor data analyzed by edge AI technology is helping to predict when machines will fail and help factories avoid costly downtime.

Edge AI-enabled surgical tools in the healthcare field are helping doctors make real-time assessments in the operating room that improve surgical outcomes.

In the retail world, edge AI is working to enhance customer service by enabling the convenience of voice-based ordering by customers via smart speakers or other intelligent devices.

In the transportation sector, where real-time decisions can be the difference between life and death, edge AI is being used to adjust traffic lights to regulate traffic flow and reduce congestion.

And in the field of security across numerous organizations, edge AI’s real-time analysis of video footage can identify unwarranted activity and immediately inform authorities.

The Power of Edge AI and Nanotechnology in Semiconductor Applications

According to the authors of Artificial Intelligence in Nanotechnology, an academic white paper on the significant role AI can play in the development of nanotechnology, the incorporation of AI into nanotechnology—defined as the study and control of materials at the nano (molecular, atomic, or subatomic) level to create new, stronger, and more conductive materials and devices—has led to an exciting new vein of research and development called “AI-nanotechnology.”

Thanks to the big data that AI is able to analyze, semiconductors—made up of a wealth of nanoparticles—are immediately benefiting from the combination of edge AI and nanotechnology to design more efficient chips and bring them to market sooner.

Semiconductors, or chips, are components used to conduct or block electric current. They drive a bevy of modern-age devices, including mobile phones, computers, TVs, washing machines, LED bulbs, medical equipment, and more.

The use of edge AI is enabling semiconductor manufacturers to optimize their product’s power, performance, and area (or “PPA,” the three goals of chip design). It benefits PPA by helping engineers to design advanced new chips as well as to efficiently and cheaply overhaul and shrink many older-technology chip designs without needing to update fabrication equipment. By further integrating nanotechnology into this process and being able to design with new and existing materials at nano scales, manufacturers can cost-effectively create more robust semiconductors with improved functionality.

While both of these cutting-edge fields currently face a range of hurdles—ethics, privacy, and bias are issues for artificial intelligence, while nanotechnology struggles with regulatory, environmental, and safety concerns—experts contend that the integration of edge AI and nanotechnology “have the potential to work in concert to spur innovation and solve difficult problems….and [they] hold immense promise for revolutionizing various aspects of science, technology, and everyday life.”

Stay on the Cutting Edge of Continuing Education

A new five-course course program from IEEE, Integrating Edge AI and Advanced Nanotechnology in Semiconductor Applications, explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, edge computing, and nanotechnology through real-life applications and future trends. From the fundamentals of AI nanoinformatics to the specifics of semiconductor design, learners who complete the program will acquire a broad skill set enabling them to navigate the complexities of modern computing.

To learn more about accessing these courses for your organization, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

Interested in the course program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

 

Resources

Yeung, Tiffany. (17 February 2022). What is Edge AI and How Does It Work? NVIDIA.

(16 November 2023). Bringing AI to the Edge: How Edge AI is Revolutionizing Industries. Sintrones.

Agrawal, Radheyshree, Tilak Paras, Devand, Aryan, Bhatnagar, Archana, and Gupta, Piyush. (17 March 2024). Artificial Intelligence in Nanotechnology. Springer Nature.

Nanotechnology. National Geographic.

Brode, Bernie. (21 March 2022). AI and Nanotechnology are Working Together to Solve Real-World Problems. Stack Overflow Blog.

2023 Edge AI Technology Report. Chapter I: Overview of Industries & Application Use Cases. Wevolver.

The field of systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to product development which helps ensure that all elements of a product’s hardware and software work together to achieve the desired outcome. Systems engineering is particularly useful when dealing with complex products or applications that involve a lot of data, variables, or design fields. Examples include NASA’s design of the International Space Station (operated by five space agencies) and the exploration of Pluto by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft. This high-profile aerospace initiative’s success relied on meticulous planning, exact calculations, complete integration between the spacecraft, launch vehicle, and mission operations, and thorough management of all performance and budgetary aspects throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Similarly, the Global Positioning System (GPS), a space-based positioning, navigation, and timing service, required high-level systems engineering to oversee the design and integration of space, ground, and user components.

Other real-world examples of the implementation of systems engineering hit much closer to home.

Systems Engineering In Practice

In the design of new hardware and software products within the IT world, for example, systems engineers oversee development by understanding the system, its goals, and the interaction of all parts as a whole and balancing the needs of all stakeholders with organizational costs and risk. On the flip side, as it relates to users of hardware and software in an enterprise IT setting, systems engineers are tasked with understanding their organization’s business requirements and identifying the hardware and software elements that best meet their organization’s needs. They may also set up, configure, and maintain servers, administer the network, oversee security measures and response to cyber incidents, and document changes to the system for ongoing maintenance and auditing purposes.

Elsewhere, the field of autonomous vehicle design – which demands seamless integration between sensors, AI algorithms, control systems, and other components – relies on systems engineers to help meet performance, reliability, and safety goals. Systems engineers are also heavily involved in the fields of printed circuit board design, robotics, and utility power generation, delivery, control, and protection.

Across the board, contributions by systems engineers can significantly enhance a company’s product quality as well as its efficiency, financial performance, and speed to market. In the aerospace industry, for instance, systems engineering activities at Boeing were instrumental in reducing development time of the company’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft by 60% relative to previous models.

Demand for Systems Engineers

Based on the demonstrated value systems engineers bring to organizations, demand for the profession is increasing worldwide. Built In, a tech start-up platform, projects a 21% growth in these job opportunities between 2021 and 2031.

To accomplish an organization’s goals, systems engineers take a top-down approach and evaluate all parts of an entire integrated system to ensure that each aspect will work together to accomplish overall objectives. In that sense, because they must know a little bit about every component and process within a new product’s development, how all of these parts come together, and be able to see the big picture, systems engineers play a critical role similar to that of an orchestra conductor. Among their major tasks, systems engineers are typically involved with everything from design compatibility, definition of requirements, and project management to cost analysis, scheduling, upcoming system upgrades, maintenance requirements, and communications between the project’s engineers, managers, suppliers, and customers. As such, their work can have a significant impact on a project’s metrics.

Explore the Field of Systems Engineering with IEEE

Software & Hardware Configuration Management in Systems Engineering
This course program teaches essential configuration management core concepts and best practices for both hardware and software (starting with the requirements specified in the IEEE 828 standard) in order to help reduce an organization’s risk of a malicious attack and/or enable rapid response to an incident. Ideal for managers, practicing professionals, academics, undergraduates, and electrical engineers, the five-course program helps learners assess and improve existing organizational configuration management practices in systems engineering.

To learn more about accessing these courses for your organization, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

Interested in the course program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

IEEE Software and Systems Engineering Standards Used in Aerospace and Defense
This course program explores systems and software engineering concepts for the aerospace and defense industries. Topics covered include the life cycle and engineering process, selection and application of appropriate IEEE standards, and methods of addressing complex issues through interrelated life cycle processes and other agile techniques within these specific industries. This five-program course is ideal for aerospace engineers, project managers, software engineers, government and defense professionals, and standards developers.

To learn more about accessing these courses for your organization, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

Interested in the course program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

 

Resources

What is Systems Engineering? Jama Software.

Systems Engineering. Study Smarter.

Moiz, Abdul. (16 July 2024). What Is Systems Engineering? (With Steps and Skills). Indeed.

Powers, Jessica. (7 December 2022). Systems Engineer. Built In.

(20 August 2024). What is an IT Systems Engineer? Guru.

How Can Systems Engineering Improve Aerospace Engineering? LinkedIn.

Andersen, Grady. (2 February 2024). The Impact of Systems Engineering on Various Industries. MoldStud.

In today’s highly connected business landscape, delays in the transmission of critical data can cost time, money, jobs, and even lives. As you can imagine, there’s an extensive and diverse range of data-driven applications where time is of the essence.

The seamless exchange of data between sensors and processors allows autonomous cars to make split-second decisions that ensure their safe and accurate navigation of roads. Robust IoT connections and timely data flow minimize waste and reduce downtime while promoting efficiency and overall performance in manufacturing. And timely data delivery enables the precise synchronization of audio and visual systems that deliver professional, best-in-class entertainment experiences for audiences worldwide.

Above are just a few of the mission-critical activities that rely on time-sensitive networking (TSN), a group of standards and protocols within the IEEE 802.1 umbrella that were designed to ensure “deterministic communication”. This means that data 1) gets to its final destination, and 2) does so within a specified timeframe over Ethernet networks. Thanks to TSN, industries that previously required specialized networking hardware to achieve their time-sensitive objectives can now use standard Ethernet connections to meet their needs.

The Fundamentals of Time-Sensitive Networking

First introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Ethernet is a communications technology that connects devices in a local area network (LAN). Using a system of “wired” cables (unlike Wi-Fi’s wireless approach), the Ethernet still remains a highly desirable approach for organizations that require speed, reliability, security, and the ability to maximize their internet connection when transmitting data.

However, while standard Ethernet typically transmits data only when network resources are available, the process of time-sensitive networking introduces a means of scheduling data transmission to ensure that it arrives on time and in a predictable fashion. This is achieved through TSN’s many powerful features, which include:

  • Synchronization of clocks within devices on the TSN network via a “Precision Time Protocol” (PTP) capability to ensure on-time transmission
  • Precise scheduling of data transmissions to ensure the on-time delivery of high-priority data
  • “Traffic shaping,” through which TSN can avoid network congestion and smooth the way for data to flow by controlling the rate at which data is sent
  • Back-up redundancy, which delivers an added measure of reliability by ensuring that if data fails to send via one path, it can be received via an alternative path
  • Reservation of network resources, which assures that connected devices have the necessary bandwidth to successfully transmit data 

TSN in Industry

These and other features have made TSN an indispensable tool for industries and applications where ultra-low “latency” (defined as the time it takes for a computer, the internet, etc. to respond to an action taken) and “jitter” (signal changes in amplitude, width, or phase timing within a network) are paramount. Those industries include the following:

Automotive

In the automotive sector, TSN is popularly used to support real-time diagnostics for vehicle malfunctions and repairs as well as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, which enables vehicles to share information regarding traffic conditions, weather updates, alternative routes, and safety issues; the use of TSN also helps reduce the cost and complexity of connected infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems. Within autonomous vehicles, TSN enables the quick processing of data from sensors that ultimately control everything from the steering wheel and brakes to anti-slip functions, collision-avoidance systems, and more.

Industrial

Among other applications, TSN enhances efficiency and productivity in automated industrial manufacturing settings by enabling real-time communication and synchronization within robotic systems, conveyor belts, and assembly lines. As a result, industrial leaders such as Siemens and Poland-based company Keller, a provider of state-of-the-art printing technologies, have adopted TSN.

Energy

In the energy/utility industry, the use of TSN enables more efficient grid management and deployment of power to users by ensuring real-time communication between power generation and distribution systems. TSN also supports the efficient integration of renewable energy sources into the grid portfolio.

Ultimately, as industries across the board continue to undergo digital transformation, industry experts confirm that TSN is revolutionizing the face of real-time communication and control systems and opening the door to exciting and dynamic new possibilities in the future.

Take the Time to Master TSN

As time-sensitive networking continues to both evolve and be embraced by a broad range of organizations, there’s no time to waste when it comes to understanding the powerful benefits that TSN can bring to your or your clients’ operations.

Time-Sensitive Networking for New Ethernet Bridging Applications is a comprehensive eLearning course program from IEEE. It covers everything from specific challenges involved in delivering real-time communications on modern networks to the methods that have been developed by various standards groups. It also addresses each of the challenges identified and more.

Upon completion of the five-course program, learners will understand the importance of synchronization, traffic shaping, and queueing within time-sensitive applications as well as the current state of development and standardization of solutions in this dynamic field.

To learn more about accessing these courses for your organization, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

Interested in the course for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

 

Resources

Python and TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking): An In-Depth Guide. W3 Computing.

Hill, Simon. (20 April 2023). Everything You Need to Know About Ethernet. Wired.

Shukla, Guarav. (5 June 2022). What is Ethernet? How-To Geek.

Howard. (8 December 2023). The Introduction of Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN). FS

Rouwet, Wim. (2022). Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication. Science Direct.

Leung, Jason. (18 December 2023). The Future of Connected Cars: How Time-Sensitive Networking Is Enhancing Automotive Embedded Systems. FiberRoad.

Burke, Tom. (7 July 2023). TSN Technology Endorsed by Industrial Automation Leaders. Automation.com.

Burke, Thomas. (5 February 2024). How to Use TSN to Improve Machine Design Performance, Precision. Control Engineering.

 

workforce-development-elearning-library

If you think that opportunities for continuing education, training, and development aren’t a major determinant of job satisfaction for employees as well as a key driver of success for organizations, think again.

Nearly two-thirds of employees claim that a lack of opportunities for development and advancement are among the top reasons for leaving their job – nearly on par with too little compensation. Similarly, in another major survey, 43% of employees claim that a lack of advancement opportunities is one of the primary reasons why they quit their last job.

From an employer’s perspective, studies show that the ability to offer employees quality opportunities for continued learning and development is critical to an organization’s growth and success.

Companies that invest in the training and development of their workforce were found to be 17% more productive and over 20% more profitable than those that did not offer such opportunities.

Seven out of ten employees share that opportunities for continued education made them feel more connected and loyal to their workplace, while 80% confirmed that opportunities for learning “add purpose to the work” and enhance feelings of accomplishment and self-actualization. With no surprise, a whopping 94% of employees report that they stay longer at companies that invest in their growth through training and development— proving once again that opportunities for ongoing learning are key to employee retention.

In terms of the skills that will be required in the years to come, continuing education will be increasingly necessary for individuals and organizations alike. It is anticipated that nearly 70% of all workers’ skills worldwide could be disrupted by 2030 due to the growth of artificial intelligence in the workplace, requiring an ongoing focus on skills gap assessments and upskilling activities.

IEEE eLearning Library: Your Go-To Source for Continuing Education

As the world’s largest technology association for the advancement of humanity, IEEE serves as the professional home for the engineering and technical community. One of its many resources, the IEEE eLearning Library, offers hundreds of high-quality online courses in core and emerging technologies. Tailored for technical professionals, faculty, and students, the IEEE eLearning Library taps into a wealth of expertise from IEEE’s global network of over 450,000 industry and academia members in a vast array of subjects ranging from aerospace and defense, automotive technology, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud and edge computing to telecommunications, cybersecurity and data privacy, Internet of Things, power and energy, systems engineering, and much more.

Each course within the IEEE eLearning Library is developed by IEEE Educational Activities in partnership with subject matter experts from various IEEE technical societies and organizational units, some of which include IEEE Power & Energy Society, IEEE Standards Association, IEEE Communications Society, IEEE Digital Privacy Initiative, and more. Courses can be accessed by individuals via the IEEE Learning Network while organizations can offer their employees the full library or a subset of courses pertinent to their needs and/or industry.

Courses are offered in self-paced, digestible hour-long sessions that accommodate learners’ busy schedules, and completion of courses awards microcredentials and digital badges bearing professional development hours (PDHs) and continuing education units (CEUs), enabling professionals to verify and promote their new skills throughout both their organization and the industry.

What’s In It For You?

Organizations and employees can enjoy many benefits by building the IEEE eLearning Library into their continuing education plans.

Among them, the IEEE eLearning Library is an optimal way to deliver standardized training to employees (especially those in different locations) and help position them for growth, development, and career advancement. The results of this investment to an organization include increased employee engagement, improved productivity and performance, enhanced profitability, and greater innovation and industry competitiveness – all while saving money on travel, materials, and instructor costs thanks to the easy online format that employees can access anytime, anywhere.

Whether you want to enhance your knowledge within your own technical field or expand to other technical specialties, the IEEE eLearning Library offers the technical training to meet your and your organization’s needs. Explore access options through IEEE Xplore®, the IEEE Learning Network (ILN), or through your organization’s own Learning Management System.

Contact an IEEE Account Manager to learn more about the best option(s) for you or your organization’s learners today!

If you’re looking to access courses as an individual learner rather than through your company, browse eLearning content from IEEE Educational Activities offered on ILN.

Check out our infographic to learn more about the IEEE eLearning Library. 

 

Resources

Hastwell, Claire. (21 April 2023). Employee Training and Development: The Benefits of Upskilling or Reskilling Your Team. Insights.

Parker, Kim and Horowitz, Juliana Menasce. (9 March 2022). Majority of Workers who Quit a Job in 2021 Cite Low Pay, No Opportunities for Advancement, Feeling Disrespected. Pew Research.

Poll on the Importance of Growth Opportunities to Employee Satisfaction and Career Success. Great Place to Work US. 

Trisca, Lorelei. (12 September 2024). Employee Development Statistics You Need to Know Right Now. Deel.

The State of L&D in 2022. TalentLMS and SHRM Research.

(30 April 2023). The Future of Jobs Report 2023. World Economic Forum.

distributed-energy-resources

If you’ve seen solar panels installed on rooftops or wind power being generated off the shores of coastal locales, use smart thermostats, electric vehicles and EV charging systems, fuel cells, or heat pumps, or participate in a local microgrid, then you’ve witnessed some examples of the use of distributed energy resources, also known as DERs.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), distributed energy resources involve “a variety of technologies that generate electricity at or near where it will be used” as opposed to relying on a more centralized power generation source. DERs support everything from single homes and businesses to huge industrial facilities, college campuses, and entire municipalities. (This is often through a microgrid that ties into a central electric utility’s local distribution lines). Based on their demonstrated ability to reduce electricity costs to ratepayers, improve power quality, reliability, and resiliency, engage in the “intelligent” process of two-way electricity flow, and help meet environmental and sustainability goals through their use of renewable energy sources, they’ve become increasingly popular.

Benefits of Distributed Energy Resources

Thanks to DERs, homes and businesses can reduce their dependence on the aging electric grid— portions of which are over a century old and in need of an upgrade. DERs also help minimize the risk of power outages that have risen in tandem with the growing frequency of severe storms and other natural disasters globally. At the same time, DERs offer greater control to end users by enabling them to generate the energy they need for their own use, sell it to the market, and/or modify their own energy demand.

As such, one doesn’t have to look far to see evidence of the growing market and demand for DERs worldwide. For instance:

  • On the solar panel front, Fortune Business Insights predicts that the global solar power market will nearly double from US$254 billion in 2023 to US$437 billion by 2032.
  • Statista projects that the market for global battery energy storage will grow from US$5 billion in 2023 to US$18 billion by 2030, an over three-fold increase.
  • Electric cars, which represented just 2% of all vehicles globally in 2018, accounted for some 18% of all cars sold in 2023.
  • Smart thermostat sales in the U.S. are expected to triple from roughly US$1.3 billion in 2022 to US$3.9 billion by 2029.

Growing Demand

The outlook for DERs continues to look bright, for many reasons. Declining initial price points are bolstering demand for these technologies. Additionally, federal support and funding through such legislation as America’s Inflation Reduction Act (enacted in August 2022) are driving demand for a range of DERs by providing financial rebates and incentives that encourage their adoption. Similarly, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Order No. 222 (issued in September 2020) will financially compensate the owners of groups of qualified DERs for the power and services they provide to the electric grid. According to the World Resources Institute, this incentive will “[create] a new long-term value stream for the people and entities using these resources.”

Similar actions have been undertaken around the world to help fuel the proliferation of DERs. In Europe, for instance, the ‘European Green Deal’ and ‘Clean Energy for all Europeans’ legislative initiatives are promoting the integration of renewable energy sources and DERs. The International Energy Agency confirms that DERs will be critical to the ongoing energy transformation in China.

Ultimately, experts confirm that the ongoing transition to DERs will promote a more reliable, energy-efficient, and equitable energy system worldwide.

Challenges Abound

While DERs offer many benefits, including the promise of greater resilience, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability, experts nonetheless confirm that there are also many challenges associated with their use.

Among them, the harmonious operation of these systems and devices will require significant investments in new power generation and storage technology. In addition, with so many small-scale DERs being activated at a decentralized level and on disparate platforms worldwide, experts at the World Resources Institute warn that integration of these devices with central power sources can trigger power quality, compatibility, and reliability issues that will require a greater degree of grid management to control.

For all of these reasons, there’s never been a greater need for IEEE Standard 1547, which is designed to ensure the interconnection, interoperability, and safety of DERs connected to the electric grid.

“Before the adoption of this standard, there were significant challenges in connecting renewable energy sources to the grid, as each technology had its own set of protocols and requirements,” explained Christopher Sanderson, energy storage industry expert and IEEE Senior Member. “The development of IEEE Standard 1547 has made it possible for different types of DERs to work together seamlessly, ensuring that electricity generated from various sources can be reliably, [safely], and efficiently distributed and integrated into the grid without causing disruptions.”

Navigate IEEE Standard 1547 Through a Targeted Course Program

Introduction to IEEE Standard 1547-2018: Connecting Distributed Energy Resources is a six-course program developed by IEEE to help train entire technical teams on how to best implement this important standard. The course program reviews testing, verification, and interoperability requirements. It also covers clauses and annexes of IEEE Standard 1547-2018, and power quality issues that can result from the interconnection of DERs with utility grids.

Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn more about getting access to this program for your organization.

Interested in access for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).

Resources

Hurst, R.W. What is Distributed Generation? Distributed Energy Resources. The Electricity Forum.

Distributed Generation of Electricity and its Environmental Impacts. United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Richmond-Crosset, Kyle and Greene, Zachary. (30 September 2022). How Distributed Energy Resources Can Lower Power Bills, Raise Revenue in US Communities. World Resources Institute.

(May 2022). Unlocking the Potential of Distributed Energy Resources. International Energy Agency.

Ali, Junaid. (16 August 2024). The Future of Energy and Distributed Power. Forbes.

(5 August 2024). Solar Power Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Technology. Fortune Business Insights.

Sanderson, Christopher. (30 June 2024). The Power of Standards: How IEEE-1547 Shapes Our Energy Future. LinkedIn.

Will Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) Change How We Get Our Energy? European Parliament.

Prospects for Distributed Energy Systems in China. International Energy Agency.