Powering the future: AI's groundbreaking role in the resources industry

Eyes on the stars, feet on the ground: a new model for industrial AI

A profound transformation is quietly taking place in the modern industrial landscape: Resource-intensive sectors that have inherited the legacy of industrialization are embracing AI technologies, and these new innovations will light the path for the future. Countless enterprises are investing in AI, proposing a plethora of slogans. But looking beyond the hype, how can AI make a real difference in the industry? And where should the transformation begin?

There is an operating model that gives us a clear answer to these questions. This model comprises two key strategies:

Looking up at the stars and setting up a beacon to guide the way: Huawei is committed to reshaping the future of heavy industry with digital and intelligent technologies, and helping global resources industries transform. Our vision is to use digital and intelligent technologies to benefit every mine, every oil well, every cement production line, every smelting plant, and every chemical plant for a safer, greener, and more sustainable future.

Keeping our feet on the ground and formulating an action plan that focuses on the present: Since its establishment in 2021, Huawei's Oil, Gas, and Mining Business Unit (BU) has collaborated with R&D, marketing, service, and ecosystem teams, and delved into real-world production scenarios to help shorten long R&D chains. Furthermore, the BU can respond to customer requirements faster, and integrate digital and intelligent technologies with industry expertise to lay the groundwork for comprehensive transformation. Its mission is very clear: to solve the most pressing challenges facing resources industries, promote best practices to enable their transformation, and inject momentum into quality industry development.

This issue of Transform compiles insights from industry experts and presents 14 success stories in the oil and gas, chemical, mining, steel and non-ferrous metal, and building material sectors in 2024 and 2025. These articles demonstrate Huawei's commitment to working with customers and partners to advance intelligent production and create innovative solutions for resources industries to go digital and intelligent.

Together, we can fully unlock the potential of technologies like cloud, AI, 5G, and big data, and develop feasible solutions to increase reserves and yields, improve production quality and efficiency, and achieve green and low-carbon growth. Ultimately, this will drive quality industry development and enable commercial success.