Where Does AI Fit? A Best Practices Roundtable for Manufacturers
Hosted by Fraunhofer USA, in partnership with Global Auto Mobility
Sponsors
For more information contact Brooke Babcock
Manufacturers are being asked to make AI decisions faster than most have time to research, and few have a clear answer on how it fits in their own operation. Fraunhofer USA and Automation Alley are hosting a best practices roundtable to work through that question directly. This three-hour session is not a technical briefing. It’s a working conversation about where AI actually fits into day-to-day operations, what’s holding companies back, and what a realistic path to adoption looks like.
Fraunhofer USA will open with brief examples of how AI is being applied in manufacturing today, drawing on its work with manufacturers across the sector. The session then moves into an open discussion built around the questions and challenges participants bring to the table. Whether your company is actively implementing AI or still deciding if it’s relevant, this is a chance to ask direct questions and hear how peers in the industry are approaching the same decisions.
-
Matthias Muehle
Matthias Muehle received the Diploma degree in Physics from Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, and the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University, USA, in 2017. Currently, he is the Manager Diamond Technologies at Fraunhofer USA, Center Midwest (CMW), overseeing materials research of diamond for use in semiconductors, analytical electrochemistry, neurology and water treatment. Dr. Muehle has over 15 years of experience working in diamond wafer and epilayer growth, diamond fabrication and its use in device applications resulting in over 30 technical papers. His personal research focus is on diamond growth for wide bandgap semiconductor integration. He also engages in research activities that use AI for diamond growth prediction. This work has resulted in an international patent family.
-
David Bertram
David Bertram joined Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest (CMW) as the new Business Development Manager in March of 2026. He brings more than 25 years of experience in government relations, economic development, strategic policy and communications. Throughout his career he has worked closely with elected officials, industry leaders and research institutions to advance initiatives across various sectors, including advanced manufacturing, mobility, energy, healthcare, environment, advanced technology, workforce development, entrepreneurship and higher education. He spent 14 years at Michigan State University (2011-2025), serving as the Associate Vice President for Government Relations for more than 10 years and most recently as the Director of Economic Development in the MSU College of Engineering.
With deep experience connecting public policy, research, and industry, David is working to expand opportunities for collaboration and strengthen pathways for innovation and economic growth at Fraunhofer USA.
During his time at MSU, David worked with the executive leadership in the College of Engineering to grow economic development opportunities at the state, national and global level. He focused on new program opportunities for research with industry including public-private partnerships and using government channels while building on existing programs in the college. Previously, he led the government relations effort for the Michigan Townships Association as the Legislative Director for more than 14 years, worked as a legislative liaison in the Executive Office in Michigan and earned a Bachelor of Political Science degree from Lake Superior State University
