AI-driven industrial upgrades cut costs, boost production

BEIJING — When picturing a steel factory, words like "heavy", "smoky" and "arduous" often come to mind. But a technological breakthrough is proving that the iron and steel industry can be smart and sophisticated, thanks to the power of artificial intelligence.

Shougang Group, one of China's largest steelmakers, is leading the way with an AI-powered visual system that is transforming the entire steelmaking process from labor-driven to model-driven. With this cutting-edge technology in place, the steel giant has boosted production efficiency by over 20 percent and reduced defects by 35 percent.

Exemplifying the shift toward digital and intelligent industrial transformation, the AI-powered system was named as one of the top 10 benchmark applications at the 2025 Global Digital Economy Conference, which wrapped up in Beijing on July 5. During the event, business leaders and industry representatives discussed the growing impact of AI across industries, highlighting China's broader push toward smart manufacturing.