ASNT, ASTM International, and AWS Unite for NDT Week 2026: “Together, We Set the Standard”
Friday, January 23, 2026
(Columbus, Ohio) More than 150 industry leaders and technical experts from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), ASTM International, and the American Welding Society (AWS) gathered at AWS headquarters in Miami, Florida, for the first-ever NDT Week 2026. Held 18–23 January, the four-day collaborative event focused on a singular, driving theme: “Together, We Set the Standard.”
As the nondestructive testing (NDT) industry undergoes rapid evolution, this historic gathering brought together the three premier standards organizations. The goal was to navigate critical topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), shifting workforce needs, and the future trajectory of inspection technologies.
“Innovation in our industry doesn't stand still, and neither can standards and certification,” said Neal Couture, FASAE, CAE, ASNT Chief Executive Officer. “By working together, the NDT community ensures that standards and certification remain relevant, credible, and aligned with how the work is evolving in the field. This collaboration allows us to keep pace with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.”
At NDT Week 2026, the future of NDT wasn’t just discussed; it was shaped. Committees worked deeply on key action items including method and program alignment, supporting exam development, and long-term strategy.
A major focus of the week was the integration of Artificial Intelligence into established standards.
“These are the discussions that move the industry forward,” said Paul Lang, ASNT Chief Global Strategy Officer. “We need to accelerate standardizing this fast-moving technology to create a solid regulatory framework companies can lean on. Investing in our people means staying aligned with where the industry is headed and how we can keep raising the bar.”
The week was anchored by keynote sessions from two thought leaders exploring the impact of AI on asset integrity and inspection:
Lennart Schulenburg, CEO of VisiConsult X-ray Systems & Solutions, delivered the keynote “AI in NDT – Chance or Disruption?” Schulenburg addressed how standards may begin as theory but quickly become the practical foundation of the industry, especially as AI and digital inspection continue to evolve.
Kelly P. Caillier, MBA, CRE, Founder & CEO of KDC Reliability, presented “Overcoming Uncertainty: Augmenting Asset Integrity Inspection Strategies and Insights with Artificial Intelligence.” With 29 years of leadership experience and a patent-pending neural network (RM-23), Caillier shared insights on calculating effectiveness in asset integrity systems.
The collaboration between ASNT, ASTM, and AWS at NDT Week 2026 reinforces a unified commitment to building the expertise that keeps quality and consistency front and center for the global NDT community.
About ASNT
ASNT is the association for nondestructive testing (NDT) professionals committed to making the world a safer place. NDT professionals detect irregularities, flaws, and defects in materials, components, and structures that could compromise the safety, reliability, or functionality of an object or structure. Established in 1941, ASNT supports members with certifications, professional development, industry insights, advocacy, events, publications, and networking opportunities and is focused on fostering the growth of future generations of NDT professionals through the ASNT Foundation. Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT is based in Columbus, Ohio, with offices in Houston, Texas, Washington, DC, and Chennai, India.
Media Contact:
Garra Liming
Director, Public Relations & Government Affairs
The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
614-274-6003; gliming@asnt.org
