PL7: Will ML/AI really change our approach to device modelling and circuit design?

Presentation Abstract
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing microwave circuit design, just as it is transforming other scientific and industrial domains. The growing number of published research papers demonstrates that the microwave community is actively embracing AI and ML across a wide spectrum of applications—from novel device modeling to virtual data generation, data management, and advanced EDA tools for circuit optimization. New commercial solutions for ML-assisted circuit design, already offer first-pass, fully automated layout generation, multi-objective optimization, and seamless multi-platform integration from device to system level. This evolving landscape suggests a progressive shift in researchers' focus from traditional design practices toward a complex interplay involving the development of custom, high-accuracy, dynamically reconfigurable models, advanced EDA algorithms, and ML workflows. Are we ready for this revolution? Can we truly trust AI/ML-driven design? Will AI really help to uncover entirely new device concepts and circuit topologies, or will it remain a highly capable design assistant? What tools and skills are needed to become active contributors in this new paradigm? This panel will bring together experts from foundries, model development, and EDA vendors to critically examine the pros and cons, practical implications, IP constraints and future directions of AI-assisted microwave circuit design.