Looking Back

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In this special episode of AM Insider, hosts Justin Hopkins and Dustin Kloempken take a retrospective look at the transformative year of 2025. Using artificial intelligence to analyze their recordings from throughout the year, the hosts bridge the gap between early-year trends and the industry's current reality.

This episode provides a deep dive into the following key themes:

• The AI Revolution in Additive Manufacturing: Explore how AI is lowering the barrier to entry for CAD and design, making it easier to manifest ideas and shifting the role of the Application Engineer toward higher-value data analysis and responsive workflows.
• Industry Maturity vs. "The Hype": Justin and Dustin tackle the question of whether the industry is "dead" or simply maturing. They discuss the consolidation and bankruptcies of 2025—including names like Desktop Metal and BCM3D—while positioning the industry within the Gartner Hype Curve's trough of disillusionment.
• The Rise of Production and Prosumer Tech: Learn why 2025 became the "year of the Bambu printer" and how AM is proving its worth in high-stakes production environments like the medical and drone markets.
• Building a Resilient Career: Drawing on insights from guests like Amos and Brent Ewald, the hosts discuss non-linear career paths, the importance of soft skills like negotiation, and why a curious, problem-solving mindset is more valuable than any specific degree.

Whether you are an industry veteran or looking to start a career in additive manufacturing, this episode offers essential insights into how innovation is pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Stay curious and join us as we get inside the future of AM.