IEC 2026 Brings Inspectors, Innovation, and AI to Austin

The 2026 Inspection Expo & Conference (IEC), which took place at the beginning of February in Austin, Tex., united welding inspectors, engineers, manufacturers, and industry leaders from across North America for two days of technical education, professional development, and forward-looking discussion. Hosted jointly by the American Welding Society (AWS) and the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), IEC once again reinforced its reputation as the only conference designed specifically “for inspectors, by inspectors.” 

The conference provided a comprehensive look at the current state and future direction of welding inspection. Core technical topics included corrosion control, nondestructive examination (NDE), steel construction, coatings inspection, and evolving quality control requirements. A unifying theme running through nearly every session was how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools are reshaping inspection methods, documentation, and professional responsibilities.

Leadership Sets the Tone

The event was co-chaired by William F. Newell Jr., serving as the 2026 IEC AWS chair, and Todd Alwood, the 2026 IEC AISC chair. Together, they emphasized both technical rigor and professional growth as guiding principles for the conference.

Newell opened the conference by encouraging attendees to explore unfamiliar topics and challenge long-held assumptions. His career-long involvement in national and international code bodies underscored the importance of maintaining technical integrity as inspection practices evolve.

Alwood, vice president of membership and certification at AISC, highlighted the importance of certification, education, and workforce development, particularly as the construction industry faces widespread retirements and increasing demand for qualified inspectors.

A Keynote Grounded in Perspective

The conference’s keynote address, delivered by Jeff Noruk, president of Servo-Robot Corp., set a pragmatic tone for the AI discussion that followed throughout the week. His presentation examined the intersection of welding engineering, automation, inspection systems, and AI, while reminding attendees that successful robotic welding and automated inspection have existed long before today’s surge in artificial intelligence.

Noruk emphasized that while AI will accelerate automation, particularly in high-mix, low-volume welding environments, it should be viewed as an evolution rather than a replacement for engineering judgment and proven processes.

AI Takes Center Stage

Multiple sessions explored how machine learning, automated image analysis, and predictive analytics are being introduced into inspection workflows to enhance consistency, efficiency, and documentation.

One of the most anticipated presentations, given by AWS’s CEO Carey Chen, detailed the Society’s internal AI initiative known as “AWStin.” The session traced AWS’s structured journey toward AI adoption, from assessing organizational readiness and achieving leadership alignment to identifying high-impact use cases. Chen emphasized that AI was not pursued as a novelty, but as a strategic tool embedded into AWS’s long-term priorities.

Additional sessions addressed the practical application of AI in weld image analysis, NDE data interpretation, and quality management systems. Speakers repeatedly stressed a common point: AI tools are intended to support, not replace, the inspector’s professional judgment and accountability.

Codes, Standards, and Compliance

IEC delivered extensive coverage of recent and upcoming code changes affecting inspectors. Detailed sessions examined updates to AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2025, Structural Welding Code ‒ Steel, highlighting revisions to visual acceptance criteria, NDE personnel qualification requirements, and welding procedure qualifications.

Other technical highlights included discussions on the 2025 Research Council on Structural Connections (RCSC)Specification for Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts, addressing new bolt groups, revised pretensioning methods, and updated contractor and inspector responsibilities.

Presentations on digital radiography, advanced ultrasonic testing methods such as total focusing method (TFM), and phased-array technologies provided insight into both emerging capabilities and qualification 
challenges.

Coatings inspection, corrosion prevention, and compliance with AISC and building code inspection requirements rounded out the technical program, offering inspectors practical guidance applicable across a wide range of project types.

Investing in the Next Generation

IEC’s program also covered the future of the inspection workforce. Sessions on recruitment, training, and mentorship explored strategies for attracting new talent, transferring institutional knowledge, and building sustainable inspection programs amid a shrinking labor pool.

One standout presentation by Shanen Aranmór (founder of Weld Like A Girl™, Yuma, Ariz., and AWS director-at-large) introduced education efforts aimed at children and young adults, demonstrating how early exposure to welding inspection concepts can spark long-term interest in technical careers. These workforce-focused discussions reinforced the idea that people, not just technology, remain central to inspection quality and public safety.

Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Preceding IEC was the one-day conference Upholding Integrity: Legal and Ethical Standards in the Welding Industry, which brought together Certified Welding Inspectors (CWIs) and welding professionals for a focused professional development program. The event examined the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with the CWI credential, highlighting the impact of inspection decisions on public safety, regulatory compliance, and professional accountability. Through real-world case studies and discussions, participants explored documentation practices, liability considerations, and common ethical challenges in the field, with particular emphasis on AWS QC1, Standard for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors. Speakers reminded attendees that CWIs often serve as de facto subject matter experts, with judgments that directly affect liability exposure and industry trust.

The conference concluded with attendees gaining practical insights and tools to support sound, defensible decision-making in their professional practice.

A Conference Looking Forward

As IEC 2026 came to a close, attendees left Austin with a clear message: the inspection profession is evolving rapidly, but its foundation remains unchanged. New tools, including AI, will continue to enhance inspection capabilities, yet human expertise, ethical responsibility, and adherence to codes and standards remain paramount.

By balancing innovation with experience, and technology with accountability, the 2026 Inspection Expo & Conference reaffirmed its role as a vital forum for shaping the future of welding inspection.
 

CARLOS GUZMAN (cguzman@aws.org) is editor of Inspection Trends and managing editor, digital and design, of AWS Publications.