396. Human Expertise & Machine Intelligence: Redefining the Inspector’s Role in the AI Era.
Release Date: 02/17/2026
Weld Wednesday with AWS | National Welding Month Special
Arc Junkies
In this special National Welding Month edition of Weld Wednesday with AWS, host Jason Becker sits down with three guests who each represent a unique and exciting path that a welding career can open up. Kicking things off is Austin Ross — known across social media as A-Ross Welding — a pipeline welder with roughly a decade of experience and a member of Pipeliners Union 798. Austin breaks down the real cost of life on the pipe, how to break into the industry as a helper, what it takes to earn your spot, and why attitude and thinking ahead can make or break your career out there. Next up,...
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398. From Night School to Lincoln Electric's Head of Innovation w/ Sheldon Wray
Arc Junkies
Jason sits down with Sheldon Wray, head of Industrial Technology and Innovation Strategy at Lincoln Electric, for a conversation that is equal parts inspiring career story and inside look at the future of the welding industry. Sheldon shares how he went from studying electronics and computer engineering in LA to falling in love with welding at night school class — and how one chance encounter at a career fair changed everything. He breaks down Lincoln Electric's legendary welding school, what it actually takes to earn your place in the field, and the inside story behind the development of...
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New CWI? Here’s What Nobody Tells You About Welding Inspection w/ Daryl Peterson
Arc Junkies
Passing the CWI exam is a huge accomplishment — but it’s only the beginning. In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason Becker sits down with veteran welding inspector Daryl Peterson to discuss what new Certified Welding Inspectors really need to know after earning their certification. From ethics and inspection authority to metallurgy, code interpretation, and non-destructive testing, this conversation breaks down the real challenges that many new CWIs face when they step into the role for the first time. Daryl shares insights from 40 years in welding inspection, including the...
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397. You’ve Never Seen Me Sober – High-Functioning Alcohol in the Welding Industry w/ Justin Merrill
Arc Junkies
“You’ve never seen me sober.” For years, Justin built a respected name in the welding industry — sharp, disciplined, professional. But behind the scenes, there was something no one saw. In this raw and honest conversation, we talk about high-functioning alcohol use in the trades, what it looks like when success masks a problem, and the moment Justin realized he hadn’t been truly clear-headed in nearly a decade. We cover: What high-functioning drinking really looks like The culture of alcohol in welding and blue-collar industries Productivity after quitting drinking Identity,...
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396. Human Expertise & Machine Intelligence: Redefining the Inspector’s Role in the AI Era.
Arc Junkies
Recorded live at the Inspection Expo & Conference (IEC), this episode captures a powerful discussion on the future of welding inspection and the rapid integration of AI and automation into the field. Jason Becker hosts a live panel featuring Amanda Young, Vice President of McNDT Pipeline, Ltd., and Lee Pialet, President of Pioneer Steel Services, Inc.. The conversation explores how digital weld scanning systems, AI-driven defect recognition, and code cross-referencing software are reshaping the role of the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). Topics include: • How AI interprets weld scan...
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Weld Wednesday From the Shop Floor to the Code Book: Volunteering with AWS Committees w/ Bill Komlos
Arc Junkies
In this special episode of Weld Wednesdays with AWS, recorded live at the Inspection Expo & Conference in Austin, Texas, Jason Becker sits down with longtime AWS volunteer and industry veteran Bill Komlos for an in-depth conversation on volunteering on AWS code committees. While most welders, inspectors, and fabricators rely on AWS codes every day, few understand how those standards are actually developed. Bill shares his journey from local AWS section involvement to national technical committees, explaining how volunteers from across the industry—inspectors, fabricators, engineers, and...
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395. Over-Welding, Under-Earning: The Real Cost of Bad Welding Habits w/ Nate Bowman
Arc Junkies
Welding productivity is one of the most misunderstood topics in the industry—and it’s costing shops serious money. In this episode, Jason Becker sits down with Nate Bowman to break down the reality behind arc-on time, operator factor, deposition rate, and weld volume. Together, they explain why welders aren’t “only welding 11 minutes an hour,” how over-welding quietly drains profitability, and how small operational changes—like proper weld sizing or adding an extra grinder—can save thousands of dollars over time. This conversation isn’t about blame. It’s about data,...
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394. America’s Skilled Trades Are Facing a Workforce Cliff — Brian Huff Explains Why
Arc Junkies
In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason Becker sits down with Brian Huff, founder and CEO of Midwest Technical Institute and Delta Technical College. Brian shares his perspective on the growing skilled labor crisis, why the U.S. is facing a massive workforce shortage, and how removing shop class and technical education from K–12 schools created the situation we’re in today. The conversation covers workforce demographics, infrastructure demand, energy production, AI-driven growth, and why construction and skilled trades remain recession-resistant careers with lifetime opportunity....
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393. Speed Does Not Equal Skill w/ Alex McNamara
Arc Junkies
In this weeks episode, I sit down with Alex McNamara, a trades advocate, welder, rigger, and content creator who has become one of the loudest voices pushing for skilled trades education and tool literacy. Alex shares her unconventional path—from theater and set building to welding, rigging, and managing massive international live events, including work in Saudi Arabia. The conversation digs into why shop class disappeared, how that decision created today’s skilled-labor shortage, and what individuals can do locally to help rebuild trades education. We also discuss women in the trades,...
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392. 50 Years Under the Hood w/ George Rolla
Arc Junkies
In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason sits down with George Rolla, a pipe welder, inspector, educator, and industry leader with over 50 years of hands-on experience in the welding trade. George shares his journey from welding in the Canadian Arctic and North Dakota oil fields to becoming an AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector, Certified Welding Engineer, and founder of the California Welding Institute. Together, Jason and George have an honest, in-depth conversation about what’s broken in welding education, why instructor quality matters more than ever, and how poor training...
info_outlineRecorded live at the Inspection Expo & Conference (IEC), this episode captures a powerful discussion on the future of welding inspection and the rapid integration of AI and automation into the field.
Jason Becker hosts a live panel featuring Amanda Young, Vice President of McNDT Pipeline, Ltd., and Lee Pialet, President of Pioneer Steel Services, Inc..
The conversation explores how digital weld scanning systems, AI-driven defect recognition, and code cross-referencing software are reshaping the role of the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
Topics include:
• How AI interprets weld scan data
• The reliability and limitations of automation in inspection
• What skills remain irreplaceable
• How inspectors can adapt without being replaced
• The balance between craftsmanship and machine intelligence
AI is moving fast. The real question isn’t whether it’s coming — it’s how we prepare for it.
If you’re a CWI, welding engineer, fabricator, or industry decision-maker, this is a conversation you need to hear.
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