AI is accelerating change in the steel industry

Heikki Malinen is a passionate advocate of artificial intelligence (AI). The CEO of Finnish stainless steel manufacturer Outokumpu spoke at a Microsoft customer event in Finland about the transformative impact of AI on the steel industry.

“AI has long been a passion of mine, and I have devoted a great deal of time to exploring its enormous potential,” admits Outokumpu CEO Heikki Malinen. AI is used in a variety of ways at Outokumpu, as Malinen explained. The key benefits for steel manufacturers are safety, efficiency and sustainability.
Safety: the use of robots for inspections in hazardous areas and the improvement of data collection.
Efficiency: A machine vision system is revolutionising quality analysis, whilst augmented reality is opening up new possibilities for improved quality and faster maintenance.
Sustainability: Optimising material procurement could lead to significant annual savings.
Whilst AI offers immense potential, challenges such as regulation, energy supply and the availability of skilled workers remain, as the use of AI requires energy and a skilled workforce. When utilising data, the regulatory framework must be taken into account. Collaboration, particularly with policy-makers, is crucial in this regard.
Outokumpu, the CEO concluded, will continue to utilise AI for innovation and sustainability in steel production.
Source: Outokumpu