Dr. Karen Birch

Dr. Karen Birch, Executive Director of the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, shares insights on workforce development in advanced manufacturing. She discusses the urgency of adapting education to meet industry needs, particularly with Industry 5.0 emphasizing human roles alongside automation. Karen highlights AI's applications in manufacturing and education, the importance of stackable credentials, and how virtual reality can transform training. She also invites listeners to get involved with NSF mentorship opportunities and community practices.