The global electronics industry is entering a decisive phase, driven by rapid advances in AI, semiconductor technologies, next-generation connectivity, and sustainability imperatives. As design, manufacturing, and supply chains become more complex and interconnected, industry leaders are re-evaluating how value is created and sustained at scale.
In this interview, Dr. John W. Mitchell, President and CEO of the Global Electronics Assocation, shares a global industry perspective on these shifts. He examines the impact of AI and automation across engineering and production, the strategic role of emerging markets, the evolution of service-led business models enabled by 5G and IoT, and the growing importance of circular economy practices and cross-border collaboration.
Dr. John W. Mitchell (John): Artificial intelligence is reshaping the electronics industry end-to-end. Across design, manufacturing, and testing, companies are using AI not as a replacement for human expertise, but primarily as an accelerator of capability.
In design, AI-driven simulation and generative tools are dramatically shortening development cycles, enabling engineers to evaluate thousands of design permutations in minutes. This results in better component optimization, reduced prototyping effort, and faster time to market.
On the factory floor, AI and automation are improving yield by identifying patterns invisible to human operators. Predictive maintenance, advanced optical inspection, and closed-loop process controls are reducing downtime and defect rates. AI is also being leveraged to optimize supply chain planning, an area that has become critical in the wake of global disruptions.
Overall, organizations that integrate AI seamlessly into existing workflows rather than treating it as a standalone technology are realizing the greatest gains. The result is higher efficiency, lower operational costs, and more reliable, innovative products.
EC: Emerging markets in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are seeing rising electronics demand. What opportunities and challenges do these regions present for global electronics companies?
Dr. John: These regions offer some of the most promising growth prospects for the global electronics industry. Rising disposable incomes, expanding digital infrastructure, and strong government interest in tech-driven development are creating new demand for consumer electronics, mobility solutions, and industrial systems.
For companies, this means opportunities to build new supply chains, open regional manufacturing operations, and introduce products tailored to local needs. Southeast Asia, for example, has become a critical hub for electronics assembly and component sourcing.
The primary challenges remain infrastructure limitations, inconsistent regulatory environments, and the need for workforce upskilling. However, companies that take a long-term approach by investing in talent, building local partnerships, and adapting products to regional realities are well-positioned to succeed.
Africa and Latin America are emerging rapidly as consumer markets with significant potential for mobile devices, energy solutions, and digital services. Africa will likely continue to develop and may be an additional manufacturing location in about a decade.
EC: Advanced semiconductors are the backbone of modern electronics. How do you see developments in chip technology and fabrication influencing the global industry landscape?
Dr. John: Semiconductor advancements are driving progress in nearly every technology segment from EVs to AI, telecommunications, medical devices, and aerospace systems. As chip geometries reshrink and architectures evolve, the industry is seeing a shift toward higher performance and greater integration, along with a goal to get to lower power consumption.
One major trend is the rise of heterogeneous integration and advanced packaging, which allow manufacturers to combine different chip functions more efficiently. This is enabling breakthroughs in areas that demand high computing power and compact form factors.
Fabrication capacity is also becoming more geographically diversified. Many regions are now prioritizing semiconductor independence through policy initiatives and investment incentives. This will reshape global supply chains and lead to new collaboration models between design houses, foundries, and system manufacturers.
In essence, semiconductors will continue to be the strategic foundation of electronics growth, and companies that align early with these technological shifts will have a clear competitive advantage.
EC: With 5G and IoT expanding worldwide, what new business models or product categories are likely to emerge for electronics companies in the next 3–5 years?
Dr. John: 5G and IoT are accelerating a transition from product-centric models to service-centric and ecosystem-driven approaches. We will see more companies integrating hardware, software, and connectivity into seamless user experiences as well as peer to peer secure data sharing.
Key growth areas include:
- Smart manufacturing systems leveraging sensor networks and real-time data
- Connected mobility solutions in EVs, two-wheelers, and logistics
- Industrial IoT platforms for predictive analytics and automation
- Smart home and smart city infrastructure integrating energy, security, and communications
- Remote healthcare devices powered by reliable, low-latency networks
Additionally, subscription-based models for device management, diagnostics, and performance monitoring will grow significantly. Electronics companies that evolve from selling hardware to delivering continuous value through software and connectivity will gain stronger, long-term customer relationships.
EC: Electronic waste is a growing concern globally. How are companies integrating circular economy principles and recycling innovations to reduce environmental impact while maintaining profitability?
Dr. John: As an industry, despite great improvements, we recognize that electronic waste continues to be one of the fastest-growing environmental challenges globally. Companies across the electronics value chain are accelerating the integration of circular economy principles not only as a sustainability commitment but also as a strategic business advantage.
We are seeing a clear shift toward designing products for longer life, easier repair, and improved recyclability. Design teams are focusing on modularity, ease of disassembly, and material recovery. Manufacturers are adopting takeback programs, using recycled materials, minimizing hazardous substances, and investing in sustainable chemistry for components such as batteries.
Recycling technologies have advanced significantly. Automated material sorting, advanced material separation, and recovery of high-value metals are making recycling more efficient and economically viable.
Equally important, companies are developing closed-loop systems with suppliers and customers, enabling components and materials to be captured, reused, or remanufactured rather than lost to landfill. These practices reduce raw material dependency, enhance supply chain resilience, and strengthen profitability.
In short, circularity is no longer a cost, it is a pathway to competitiveness. By embedding sustainability into design, manufacturing, and end-of-life processes, the industry is proving that responsible electronics and strong financial performance can go hand in hand.
EC: Cross-border collaborations and partnerships are becoming key in electronics innovation. How should companies approach alliances, joint ventures, or ecosystem partnerships to remain competitive on a global scale?
Dr. John: Collaboration is no longer optional, it is essential. Electronics manufacturing today involves complex ecosystems that span design, materials, software, fabrication, assembly, and logistics. No single organisation can manage this breadth alone. We need strategic interdependence.
Successful partnerships are built on three foundations:
- Shared strategic goals:
Partnerships must align on value creation, whether that is technology development, supply chain strengthening, or market expansion. - Clear governance and IP frameworks:
Transparent agreements on intellectual property, data management, and responsibility boundaries reduce friction and enable smoother cooperation. - Long-term capability building:
Beyond transactional agreements, companies benefit from jointly developing talent, R&D programs, and regional expertise. This ensures that partnerships remain relevant even as technologies evolve.
The companies that collaborate effectively will be the ones that respond faster to market demands, expand globally with greater confidence, and innovate at a pace that matches the complexity of today’s electronics industry.
At the Global Electronics Association, we play a pivotal role in fostering these partnerships through international forums, cross-border industry dialogues, and collaborative programs that bring together manufacturers, innovators, and policymakers. By enabling global connections and promoting knowledge exchange, the Association helps strengthen the ecosystem that drives innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth across the electronics industry worldwide.
