AI speeds up transforming China's steel industry with more successful cases

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is accelerating the transformation of China's steel industry, making it smarter, greener, and more efficient.

Xingcheng Special Steel, an industry model manufacturer located in Jiangyin City, eastern China's Jiangsu Province, has begun using an AI-assisted detection system that can identify a 0.02-millimeter defect in a steel product within 0.1 seconds, the first in the industry worldwide.

"The furnace temperature prediction model independently developed by us can offer real-time data about temperature, pressure, composition, and air volume. Thanks to AI technology, the black boxes of blast furnaces have been 'transparent' for us. The '5G plus Industrial Internet' platform regulates thousands of processing parameters in real time, just like equipping the traditional steel factory with a thinking 'nervous system,'" said Wang Yongjian, deputy general manager of Jiangyin Xingcheng Special Steel Works company, operator of the light house factory.

In Shanghai, AI technology has enabled ZG Group, China's largest third-party steel trading platform, to handle over 10 million transaction messages daily, with the parsing accuracy rate exceeding 95 percent. It can also conduct intelligent matching of millions of traders and autonomously update over 20 million transaction messages daily.

In addition, the AI-assisted platform can simultaneously review the qualifications of 20,000 vehicles and monitor over 400,000 logistics trajectories.

"By using AI technology, the drivers' waiting time has decreased by 12 percent and carbon emissions have dropped by eight percent," said Gong Yingxin, senior vice president of ZG Group.

Currently, 29 steel enterprises across China have been designated as national intelligent manufacturing demonstration factories, with 18 recognized as outstanding such factories.

AI speeds up transforming China's steel industry with more successful cases

Spring flowers are blooming across China, drawing people outdoors to enjoy the natural beauty.

Spring came early at a river valley in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County of northwest China's Qinghai Province, where apricot trees lining the riverbanks are now in full bloom.

Pink and white petals swayed in the breeze, filling the riverbanks with a delicate fragrance and announcing spring's arrival.

Further inland, the Liaohe River estuary in central China's Henan Province has been carpeted in golden rapeseed flowers.

The vast swathes of yellow mirrored in the glittering river are creating an almost dreamlike quality.

"The breath of spring is in the air, and its fragrance has made me feel so much more relaxed and refreshed," said Qin Yanhui, a tourist.

The Kaisha Island in east China's Jiangsu Province has come alive as rising temperatures are setting wide swathes of blossoms into bloom, drawing tourists to enjoy tranquil riverside views and the season's floral displays.

Up in the highlands of Qujing City in southwest China's Yunnan Province, mountains are carpeted with a sea of breathtaking high-altitude rhododendrons.

At an altitude of 2,300 meters, red, white and yellow alpine rhododendrons are in spectacular bloom, creating sweeping flower seas that have become a popular spring tourism destination combined with local cultural presentations.

"We can enjoy rhododendrons, experience Yi ethnic traditions and taste local delicacies. It's been a wonderful experience," said Liu Enze, a tourist.

Spring flowers in full bloom across China