# Why Electronics As The World’s Next “Resource” And What That Demands Of Us, with John Mitchell

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2026-03-17
- Length: 15m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-17-why-electronics-as-the-worlds-next-resource-and-what-that-demands-of-us-with-joh

## Summary

John Mitchell, President & CEO of the Global Electronics Association, discusses the industry's shift toward viewing electronics as a critical resource and the strategic implications for the sector. He highlights the disruptive impact of affordable robotics and agentic AI on factory operations and the long-term talent pipeline, specifically the loss of entry-level training roles. Mitchell also outlines the association's rebranding from IPC, its expanded geopolitical advocacy in Washington and Brussels, and the upcoming Apex event's focus on advanced packaging and Mexico.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-17-why-electronics-as-the-worlds-next-resource-and-what-that-demands-of-us-with-joh#t=7) Introduction and Global Electronics Association Rebrand
- [1:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-17-why-electronics-as-the-worlds-next-resource-and-what-that-demands-of-us-with-joh#t=92) AI and the Democratization of Robotics
- [3:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-17-why-electronics-as-the-worlds-next-resource-and-what-that-demands-of-us-with-joh#t=219) Geopolitical Volatility and Tariff Agility
- [5:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-17-why-electronics-as-the-worlds-next-resource-and-what-that-demands-of-us-with-joh#t=330) Electronics as the Next Natural Resource
- [10:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-17-why-electronics-as-the-worlds-next-resource-and-what-that-demands-of-us-with-joh#t=644) The Agentic AI Talent Crisis
- [14:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-17-why-electronics-as-the-worlds-next-resource-and-what-that-demands-of-us-with-joh#t=849) Apex Event and Industry Convening

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Global Electronics Association (company)
- IPC (company)
- CES (other)
- CDS (other)
- Apex (other)
- Koh Young (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How Technology is Changing the Manufacturing Game w/ Dr. John Mitchell](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-06-22-how-technology-is-changing-the-manufacturing-game-w-dr-john-mitchell) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [What to Expect at IPC APEX 2025: Standards, Innovation & Networking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-16-what-to-expect-at-ipc-apex-2025-standards-innovation-networking) (OnTrack)
- [Leadership Perspectives on Robotics, Highlights from Automate LIVE in Detroit, MI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-09-leadership-perspectives-on-robotics-highlights-from-automate-live-in-detroit-mi) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: A Look Inside the 2022 A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-22-bonus-a-look-inside-the-2022-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Trade Show or Conference?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-11-trade-show-or-conference) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-17-why-electronics-as-the-worlds-next-resource-and-what-that-demands-of-us-with-joh. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to EMS@C-LEVEL.