Speakers: Sarah Wynn | Sheri Kasprzak | Mike Santora

In episode 19 of The Downtime podcast, co-hosts Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak welcomed fellow WTWH Media editor Mike Santora to the show.

Santora, managing editor of Design World, has been with WTWH for more than a decade. On the show, he shared his perspective as a journalist covering mechanical engineering topics like bearings, couplings, linear motion, and factory automation. He also addressed the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) across industries – and even on the battlefield.

The Downtime · The Downtime | Episode 19: Three's Company

About The Downtime podcast and co-hosts

The Downtime is a weekly manufacturing podcast from WTWH Media that features insights from its automation and controls publications. It’s co-hosted by Wynn, who serves as the senior editor (digital) for Packaging OEM, and Kasprzak, who is the managing editor for Plant Engineering, Control Engineering, and Consulting-Specifying Engineer.

A journalist’s perspective: AI on the battlefield

The conversation centered around Design World’s recent cover story about AI on the battlefield. The feature highlighted Overland AI’s ULTRA, a fully autonomous tactical vehicle that’s been deployed across 15 live mission scenarios to demonstrate end-to-end, Soldier-operated ground autonomy.

“This is very terrestrial in nature. These are ultralightweight vehicles that are on the battleground,” said Santora. “I think the idea was to touch on the subject and kind of remind people of the places where AI actually is.”

Click here to view Design World’s August 2025 digital edition.

Grounding AI in reality

Santora made sure to note that we are far away from Hollywood portrayals of modern warfare, and the story is aimed at grounding readers in AI’s current capabilities.

“It’s not Skynet and Terminators yet,” said Santora. “What we wanted to do is give our readers an opportunity to see this is what we have right now, the capabilities that people are looking into right now.”

Santora’s cinematic nod also tied into his own backstory. Before his journalism career, he studied creative writing and even pursued acting in New York City. He said that experience sharpened his curiosity and love of storytelling, all qualities that shape how he covers engineering and emerging technologies, like AI.

Reshaping engineering with AI

Beyond military defense applications, Santora emphasized that AI is reshaping engineering.

“So much of what Design World covers in relation to AI is factory automation or data analytics, specifically on the manufacturing floor,” explained Santora. “But AI is seeping into engineering disciplines absolutely everywhere.”

Listen to the full conversation with Santora on The Downtime on YouTube, SoundCloud, or Spotify.

Mike Santora, managing editor of Design World, shares insights on AI in defense. Background: Overland AI’s ULTRA deploying smoke to create surprise during a daytime mission in wooded terrain. Source: Overland AI, Design World, Mike Santora

Episode 19 | Show notes & time stamps

00:17 – The co-hosts open the show

01:10 – The co-hosts do an Ohio State cheer

01:48 – Kasprzak shares Plant Engineering’s story on how to optimize manufacturing processes through AI integration with MES

03:21 – Wynn spotlights Packaging OEM’s story on Memphis Record Pressing’s collaboration with Atlantic Packaging to automate its production line with OEM tech

05:05 – Wynn talks about WTWH Media’s variety of B2B publications

05:45 – The co-hosts introduce Mike Santora, managing editor for Design World, and preview the AI on the Battlefield story

07:13 – Santora interview begins

09:52 – Santora discusses his coverage areas: bearings, couplings, linear motion, and factory automation

16:50 – Discussion of AI applications in defense, including logistics, threat detection, and cybersecurity

24:50 – Santora highlights the upcoming engineering diversity and inclusion issue of Design World

27:32 – Interview with Santora ends

27:39 – The co-hosts discuss having more editors from WTWH Media on the podcast

28:06 – Quick takes game time segment begins

34:04 – Quick takes game time segment ends

34:07 – The dynamic duo signs out