Nonferrous metals industry embraces AI

Aluminum Corp of China will join hands with peers in the nonferrous metals industry to collaboratively advance digital development and application of large models in the industry, said Duan Xiangdong, chairman of one of the world's largest aluminium producers.

This initiative will likely receive support from the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association and relevant partners, as well as key government departments, including the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, and the Cyberspace Administration of China.

Duan made the remarks at the launch event of its Kun'an artificial intelligence model, which was designed specifically for the nonferrous metals industry. The event was hosted by Aluminum Corp of China in collaboration with the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association.

As a leading enterprise in the nonferrous metals industry, Aluminum Corp of China has established an independently controlled AI computing center and developed the industry's first general-purpose large language model, Kun'an.

The Kun'an large model has integrated tens of billions of data points and industry-specific expertise to offer advanced capabilities in natural language processing, image analysis, predictive modeling and scientific problem-solving.

Harnessing the power of AI, Kun'an aims to upgrade operational workflows across the nonferrous metals sector, from exploration and mining to processing and recycling. It also enhances security in key areas, including mineral resources, production, networks, data and algorithms.

"The company is expected to further strengthen the technological foundation of large models, accelerate breakthroughs in cognitive intelligence operating systems and key industrial AI technologies, and drive the deep synergy of capital, talent, technology, data and computing power," said Duan.

Duan emphasized the importance of advancing synergy between AI innovation and industrial value chains to enhance AI capabilities in the nonferrous metals industry and drive transformative progress across the sector.

"Furthermore, efforts should be intensified to refine an application-driven ecosystem, leveraging real-world scenarios to drive sustainable development," he said.

China's nonferrous metals industry, with its robust industrial chain, diverse application landscapes, vast data resources and expansive market scale, possesses unique advantages that must be fully utilized, said Duan.

Duan added that enterprises should be further empowered to enhance quality and efficiency. "Building on a solid technological foundation and advancing product applications, emphasis must be placed on optimizing production process management and transforming traditional approaches to resource extraction, processing and utilization. This will accelerate the sector's digital transformation and intelligent upgrading," he said.

Jia Mingxing, executive vice-president of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, said the industry is undergoing significant shifts, with sourcing mineral resources gradually moving overseas and the center of growth pivoting toward high-end materials.

Joint efforts should be made to promote the widespread adoption and application of large model applications across enterprises within the industry, he said.

"This collective synergy will foster coordinated innovation, empower the industry's transformation and high-quality development, and accelerate the cultivation of new quality productive forces," Jia said.

Yin Mingyue contributed to this story.