May 13, 2026

Hackers attack Foxconn again, Apple doesn't appear to be at risk Ransomware group Nitrogen breaches Foxconn’s Wisconsin facility, stealing up to 8TB of data, including engineering files tied to Intel, Google, and Nvidia. The attack disrupts operations but shows no clear evidence of compromising Apple product designs. Apple Insider

Sponsor Affordable Profiling Excellence Four channels of precision data capture from the most trusted name in thermal profiling. New and improved V-M.O.L.E.™ 2 is the ideal solution for budget-conscious electronics pros. Learn more here. ECD

Amazon employees are inflating AI usage to top leaderboards and impress managers Amazon reportedly encourages staff to inflate AI usage metrics through its MeshClaw platform, as employees "tokenmaxx" to impress managers. Internal sources say this competitive behavior distorts performance signals and raises security and reliability concerns about automated work. TechSpot

A Universal AI-Powered Segmentation Model for PCBA & Semiconductor A universal AI & Deep Learning powered model that enhances defect detection in AOI systems for PCBAs and semiconductors, further improving accuracy, speed and consistency - streamlining inspection processes. Technical Paper

IEEE Program Aims to Connect the Billions Who Are Still Offline IEEE Future Networks’ Connecting the Unconnected program accelerates efforts to expand Internet access for over 2 billion people still offline. It supports innovations through global competitions, summits, and mentorship, advancing affordable connectivity solutions using emerging 5G, 6G, and community-driven technologies. IEEE Spectrum

Sponsor Reliable drying of UV materials Rehm Thermal Systems launches the RDS UV dryer to meet faster hardening demands, enabling efficient, eco-friendly UV coating for electronics and various industries. Rehm Thermal Systems

Next-Gen Integrated Voltage Regulators with Multilayer Power Inductors and Ceramic Capacitors AI and GPU power demands drive adoption of integrated voltage regulators and vertical power delivery. Taiyo Yuden develops multilayer metal inductors and MLCCs that boost current density, reduce losses, and enable ultra-thin, efficient power solutions for next-generation SoCs. EE Times

A Method to Investigate PCB Supplier Rework Processes and Best Practices This paper investigates PCB supplier rework processes, including identifying rework procedures that have potential implications to PCB functionality. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ Evaluation of Techniques for Intentional Contamination of PWB Substrates for Quantitative Cleanliness Analyses ■ Scaling SMT Traceability ■ The Drawbacks of Internal Recycling Systems for Solder Dross ■ Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics ■ The Analysis of Variance: Drawing Conclusions from Data That Are Correct, Unambiguous, and Defensible ■ PCB Rework Evolves, With X-ray a Constant Support ■ How pH Cleaning Agents Affect Production Performance ■ A Universal AI-Powered Segmentation Model for PCBA & Semiconductor ■ RAIG Minimizes Corrosion, Allows Higher Gold on ENEPIG ■ High Reliability Lead-Free Solder Paste with Rosin and Anti-Crack Resin MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Electronic Assembly Cleaning Basics Monitoring & effectively controlling chemistry concentration when cleaning electronic assemblies is crucial for maintaining optimal cleanliness results & preventing costly consequences. KYZEN

Meta is using its own employees' activity to train AI, and laying off 8,000 of them at the same time Meta expands employee monitoring, collecting keystrokes, clicks, and screen data to train AI, triggering internal backlash over privacy and no opt-out. Amid layoffs and rapid AI adoption, workers question surveillance, job security, and intensifying automation across roles. TechSpot

‘Made in Europe’ is not going to be competitive EU companies struggle to fund decarbonization amid high energy prices, Chinese overproduction and US tariffs. Policymakers debate subsidies versus protectionism, but heavy local-content rules risk higher costs, weaker competition and strained global partnerships, despite efforts to support clean industrial transition. Taipei Times

Fill the Void Several methods of minimizing voids are presented. Printing solder paste with gas escape routes is an excellent way to reduce voiding. Technical Paper

Sponsor Your Domestic PCB Solution Summit helps you avoid long lead times and added costs—protecting your supply chain without compromise, while delivering the speed and quality you count on. Summit Interconnect

Taiwan should look beyond manufacturing in AI era: Nobel economist Nobel laureate Peter Howitt said AI will accelerate automation, permanently reducing manufacturing jobs while shifting employment toward services. He urged governments, including Taiwan, to invest in education and retraining as innovation drives “creative destruction” across economies. Taipei Times

Intel CEO promises partnership with Nvidia will produce "exciting new products" Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan confirms continued collaboration with Nvidia on new products, including hybrid SoCs combining Intel CPUs and Nvidia GPUs. The partners advance Xeon and laptop chips while expanding work into advanced packaging and foundry technologies. TechSpot

Artificial Intelligence in Improving Automated Optical Inspection After reviewing the four AI use cases presented in this paper, it is very apparent the overwhelming benefit AI can have with our AOI process and programs. Technical Paper

Sponsor SEHO makes production lines smarter Improve your work flow and reduce manufacturing costs with creative ideas and innovative solutions for automation, board handling and material management. SEHO Systems GmbH

In the AI Era, Trust Scarcity Is Rewriting the Rules of Brand Growth AI is shifting competition from capturing attention to earning trust, according to Gartner’s Amy Abatangle. She says brands must prioritize credible human perspectives, expert validation and community advocacy to boost discoverability, customer preference and sustainable growth in an AI-saturated content landscape. Gartner

OpenAI trial recap: Altman testifies he never promised Musk to keep company a nonprofit Sam Altman defended OpenAI’s structure during the Musk trial, denying promises to keep the company nonprofit. Altman described his 2023 ouster as devastating and criticized Elon Musk’s leadership style as harmful to research morale. CNBC

Sponsor EZ-FLO High Precision Ceramic Dispense Tips The ceramic molding process allows for smaller more precise inner diameters with a glass-like finish, giving you the ultimate control. Learn more. DL Technology

The FCC has banned new foreign-made routers, but existing ones can keep receiving updates until 2029 The FCC extended software update access for millions of foreign-made routers and drones until 2029, allowing critical security patches and firmware changes while maintaining restrictions on new imports tied to national security concerns and foreign supply chain risks. TechSpot

The Best Storage Method to Protect Against Corrosion Which storage method will better protect against corrosion, nitrogen or super dry? You want to do it in compliance with IPC 1602, which covers storage and handling of circuit boards. Board Talk

Apple-Intel Foundry Deal Could Reshape U.S. Chip Manufacturing Apple’s reported chipmaking deal with Apple and Intel could reduce reliance on TSMC, strengthen Intel Foundry’s position, and advance U.S. semiconductor strategy as AI-driven demand reshapes advanced manufacturing economics and global competition. EE Times

AI Delivers Faster, Actionable DRC Closure for Complex SoC Designs AI-driven workflows are reshaping SoC verification as advanced 2 nm chip designs generate billions of DRC violations. New tools use AI grouping, incremental debugging and collaborative workflows to accelerate error resolution, improve traceability and shorten tapeout cycles for complex semiconductor projects. EE Times

Sponsor Speed That Scales With You High-throughput 10-head MC388HS pick and place machines built for accuracy at high-speed—helping you scale production without compromising placement quality. Manncorp Inc.

7 Reasons Your Company Isn’t Profiting With AI, and How to Fix That Companies are pouring billions into generative AI, but most struggle to see meaningful returns. Reports from MIT and BCG reveal that the vast majority of businesses gain little or no value from AI investments, with only a small fraction achieving substantial results. Entrepreneur