AI accelerates steel industry transformation

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

"AI has long been a passion of mine and I have spent a lot of time researching its enormous potential," admits Outokumpu CEO Heikki Malinen. At Outokumpu, AI is used in a variety of ways, as Malinen explained. The most important benefits for steel manufacturers are safety, efficiency and sustainability.
Safety: Using robots for inspections in hazardous areas and improving data collection.
Efficiency: A machine vision system is revolutionizing quality analysis, while augmented reality is opening up new possibilities for improved quality and faster maintenance.
Sustainability: Optimizing material procurement could lead to significant annual savings. While 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 qualified workforce. The regulatory framework must be considered when using the data. Cooperation, especially with political decision-makers, is crucial here.
The CEO concluded that Outokumpu will continue to use AI for innovation and sustainability in steel production.
Source: Outokumpu