IIW Welding Tech Outlook: AI, AM, Safety

Summary

• IIW’s 2025 report tracks current work + near-future trends in welding and joining.
• Big themes: digitalization, AI, sustainability, advanced materials, and smarter processes.
• Practical focus: safety guidance (like handheld laser welding) and training, including Young Professionals.

The International Institute of Welding (IIW) published its 2025 report on the present and future of technology in welding and allied processes. It brings together updates from IIW technical groups and links research, standardisation, education, and shop-floor practice—basically a “where we are now” snapshot for the welding community.

Highlights from Commission and Future Stakeholders | 2026 | International Institute of Welding

🔵🔴 It is with great satisfaction that the International Institute of Welding (#IIW) presents the highlights of its key scientific, technological, and strategic developments, offering valuable insights into current progress and future directions in welding and joining technologies. 📑 This report was developed by the IIW Technical Management Board, with support from the IIW Commissions, and represents the perspective of our community. 👇 The document is available to all the members of the IIW community and is dispatched for your perusal and to share, republish and possibly translate into your national languages. #IIWelding #WeldingInnovation

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On the process side, the report points to strong activity in welding-based additive manufacturing (like arc DED and laser routes), plus rising use of AI and machine learning for optimisation, defect identification, and more reliable quality assessment. Power beam work stays active too—laser beam welding, handheld laser beam welding, and laser-hybrid processes—helped by better monitoring and evaluation methods.

On the integrity and industry-support side, hydrogen infrastructure shows up as a serious driver: testing at cryogenic temperatures, hydrogen-related fracture mechanisms, and inspection of welded joints in pipelines. The report also flags standards work on laser-welding vocabulary, growing attention to HSE topics like fumes and exposure, and a clear push to attract and support younger people through IIW’s Young Professionals actions.