# AI's Role in Manufacturing Efficiency and NPI Success with Instrumental CEO Anna-Katrina Shedletsky

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2024-05-23
- Length: 25m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-23-ais-role-in-manufacturing-efficiency-and-npi-success-with-instrumental-ceo-anna

## Summary

Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, CEO and founder of Instrumental, discusses how her company uses AI to accelerate New Product Introduction (NPI) and improve manufacturing efficiency. She highlights a case study with Meta, where Instrumental's technology saved 900 engineering weeks annually across seven programs by identifying defects earlier in the EVT phase. Shedletsky explains the concept of the 'shadow factory' (rework and bone piles) and how reducing its size frees up capacity. She also advises manufacturers to focus AI adoption on solving specific, high-impact business problems rather than chasing trends, noting Instrumental's nine-year journey from startup to an established player in the contract electronics space.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-23-ais-role-in-manufacturing-efficiency-and-npi-success-with-instrumental-ceo-anna#t=8) Introduction and Meta Case Study
- [1:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-23-ais-role-in-manufacturing-efficiency-and-npi-success-with-instrumental-ceo-anna#t=116) Value of Early Defect Detection in NPI
- [5:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-23-ais-role-in-manufacturing-efficiency-and-npi-success-with-instrumental-ceo-anna#t=346) Instrumental's Role with Contract Manufacturers
- [10:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-23-ais-role-in-manufacturing-efficiency-and-npi-success-with-instrumental-ceo-anna#t=601) AI in Data Center and Server Manufacturing
- [12:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-23-ais-role-in-manufacturing-efficiency-and-npi-success-with-instrumental-ceo-anna#t=763) The 'Shadow Factory' and Inventory Visibility
- [15:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-23-ais-role-in-manufacturing-efficiency-and-npi-success-with-instrumental-ceo-anna#t=915) AI Strategy for Talent Shortages and Efficiency
- [20:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-23-ais-role-in-manufacturing-efficiency-and-npi-success-with-instrumental-ceo-anna#t=1217) Instrumental's Nine-Year Journey and Future

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Instrumental (company)
- Meta (company)
- Apple (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Global Electronics Association (company)
- GE Predix (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Leveraging Data to Reimagine the Product Design Process with Instrumental CEO Anna-Katrina Shedletsky](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-08-31-leveraging-data-to-reimagine-the-product-design-process-with-instrumental-ceo-an) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Starting Small With AI and Emerging Manufacturing Technology w/ Jarred Knecht](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-30-starting-small-with-ai-and-emerging-manufacturing-technology-w-jarred-knecht) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [When Legacy Thinking Gets in the Way of Manufacturing Innovation w/ Annie Lu](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-06-16-when-legacy-thinking-gets-in-the-way-of-manufacturing-innovation-w-annie-lu) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [When Production Overtakes Prototyping: Materialise’s Next Phase of AM](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-10-13-when-production-overtakes-prototyping-materialises-next-phase-of-am) (Additive Snack)
- [DeepDive: Notable Interview Recaps - NPI TACTICS & TEAMWORK (19m35s)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/npi-sherpa/2026-02-17-deepdive-notable-interview-recaps-npi-tactics-teamwork-19m35s) (NPI Sherpa)

## Citing this page

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