In recent years, the rapid development and widespread application of artificial intelligence (AI) have garnered significant attention. How is AI empowering various industries? This question is being explored at the 2024 China International Digital Economy Expo, currently taking place in Shijiazhuang.
Hebei, a major steel production province, serves as a significant backdrop for the exploration of AI applications. Industry experts assert that the steel industry, characterized by its large and complex processes, is an ideal arena for implementing AI technologies. At the expo’s steel big model exhibition area, advancements in AI that are driving the development of Hebei’s steel sector are prominently displayed.
Since March 2024, Hebei has brought together numerous national AI companies to align with local steel enterprises, focusing on application models in steel production processes and workflows. Notably, the Taihang Steel Big Model in Hebei integrates data from 39 steel enterprises, collaborating with several domestic big model and smart technology firms to coordinate 142 scene models, effectively enhancing the intelligence across the entire steel production chain.
During a session themed “AI +: Making Transactions More Convenient,” Buninghui, the vice president of Glodon Technology Co., shared insights into the company’s initiatives to leverage AI in public resource trading. He emphasized their active exploration of AI scene implementation, particularly through an AI trading model developed for the construction industry. This model incorporates “bid document analysis and intelligent bid evaluation,” streamlining the entire process of smart bidding, tendering, evaluation, and clearance, ultimately making public resource trading more efficient and equitable.
Wang Tong, a senior inspector with the Hebei Provincial Data and Government Services Bureau, highlighted the growing role of the digital economy as a primary driver of economic growth in Hebei, facilitating transformation, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He noted significant progress in integrating and sharing public resource trading platforms, enhancing the digital transformation of trading processes, implementing online bidding, and promoting comprehensive “double-blind” evaluations.
AI is also recognized as a crucial engine driving a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation, acting as an essential factor in developing new productive forces. Zhou Hongyi, founder of 360 Group, asserted that many traditional enterprises must pursue digital transformation and intelligent upgrades. He stressed that digitization is not the final goal but rather a means to achieve intelligent advancements through AI.
Zhou pointed out that for most companies, especially traditional ones, technological innovation hinges on digital technologies, including the internet, cloud computing, and AI. The core of new productive forces lies in utilizing these technologies to enhance production efficiency and reduce costs. Therefore, blending traditional industries with digital innovations is crucial for growth.
Computing power serves as the foundation of the digital economy, acting as the engine for big data and AI in the digital age. A recent report from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology highlighted that Hebei ranks first nationally for its overall computing power index, with Langfang leading in city-specific metrics.
Huitian Technology Co., based in Beijing but operating out of Langfang and with a computing lab in Chongqing, received media attention at the expo. General Manager Fu Qiang noted the rapid advancement of AI applications, explaining that the company previously focused on developing and applying enterprise information systems. Since 2022, however, they have dedicated efforts to the AI industry, particularly in building a computing resource platform and application ecosystem. Their ultimate goal is to provide solutions that empower high-quality development across various industries and facilitate the merger of traditional sectors with the digital economy.
