Welcome to ITC 2026

Why Semiconductor Testing is more Important than ever and everyone needs to join the conversation

If you build it, you must test it … or at least have someone else test it. 

The importance of validating a semiconductor device and trusting it will operate as expected is widely accepted.  But far too often, tradeoffs with schedule and cost lead to concessions. Fundamental shifts in our industry have elevated the necessity of semiconductor testing to unprecedented levels. Today, the stakes are so much higher, the challenges seemingly insurmountable, and the consequences of failure more profound than ever. 

The silicon chips powering AI infrastructure are among the most complex objects ever made by human hands — multiple reticle-size dies containing hundreds of billions of transistors, stacked and assembled in a single package, are expected to operate with near-perfect reliability in data centers that run 24/7, year after year.  While hyperscalers have captured our attention, AI is quickly moving to the edge — the human-AI interactions and implications in the physical AI arena urgently demand time-sensitive solutions. From autonomous vehicles, medical devices, humanoid robots to modern-day warfare – life-or-death decisions are being placed in non-human hands. Undetected faults, insufficient safety features and lack of real-time health monitoring can have catastrophic consequences. Ironically, although AI is introducing these challenges, it is also being leveraged to accelerate innovation and solution deployment.  

AI is disrupting every layer of the semiconductor ecosystem and the test community has never been better positioned to rise to this moment. As General Chair, I am beyond honored to facilitate these crucial conversations at this year’s International Test Conference.  For over 50 years, ITC has been the global semiconductor industry’s premeir platform to bring forward test challenges along with pragmatic solutions that span the full product lifecycle.  It’s where the industry’s most important conversations happen — and where the professionals who shape semiconductor design, manufacturing, and reliability come together every year.

I’m excited to partner with this year’s Program Chair, Sandeep Goel, Sr. Director, TSMC, IEEE Fellow. He introduced two brand new AI-centric tracks to augment our comprehensive program. His call for papers has generated a record number of high quality submissions indicating an energized ecosystem that is eager to engage.

San Antonio is a fitting host for what I expect to be a landmark event. A city rich in history, culture, and warmth — and home to a venue on the legendary River Walk that will make the test week memorable well beyond the technical sessions. 

So whether you have been coming to ITC for decades or this is your very first time, I look forward to meeting you, learning from you, and building something meaningful together this October. 

Join us and help write the next chapter of our industry.