EFRS 2026 artificial intelligence and digitalization panel shed light on the sector’s future

The panel was moderated by Halil Kulluk, Chairman and CEO of Intekno Group. During the discussions, it was emphasized that artificial intelligence has become a technology that can no longer be ignored. Akgül stated that artificial intelligence had remained largely at a theoretical level for many years but has recently moved to the center of industrial applications with rapid technological advancements.

Referring to the historical background of artificial intelligence, Akgül noted that although the roots of this field go back many years, it has only reached its real potential with the development of technological infrastructure. He also highlighted that artificial intelligence cannot be defined in a strictly fixed way, yet its current level of advancement makes it impossible to overlook.

Akgül compared the evolution of artificial intelligence to humanity’s journey of flight, emphasizing that once the practical use of a technology is discovered, it spreads rapidly and leads to major transformations. He emphasized that artificial intelligence has reached a similar turning point and stressed the importance of using the technology correctly.

Addressing industrial applications, Akgül stated that the use of artificial intelligence in the iron and steel sector is increasing. He pointed out that important applications are being implemented in areas such as quality control systems, fault detection, predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and process improvement. He also underlined that production processes have become more efficient thanks to smart sensors and data analytics.

Akgül emphasized that artificial intelligence carries not only advantages but also potential risks. However, he stressed that despite these risks, the technology cannot be ignored and that countries and institutions should invest more in this field.

Throughout the panel, participants were encouraged to closely examine existing artificial intelligence applications used in the iron and steel industry. It was noted that technical sessions and poster presentations provided detailed examples of these technologies.

The key message of the EFRS 2026 panel was that artificial intelligence and digitalization will play a decisive role in the future of the iron and steel industry, and organizations that adapt to this transformation will gain a competitive advantage.