This panel will explore how companies in the metals industry can adopt AI technologies in a practical, scalable, and impact-driven way. Moving beyond theory, the discussion will centre on real-world applications of AI that are delivering measurable improvements across metal manufacturing — from process optimisation and defect detection to predictive maintenance and dynamic scheduling.

Panellists will address sector-specific challenges such as legacy systems, data fragmentation, and the skills required to bridge the gap between traditional operations and digital innovation. The session will also highlight the role of structured collaboration between manufacturers, academia, and tech providers in accelerating adoption.

A key example is the D3M Co-Lab programme, which enables rapid prototyping, testing, and deployment of AI-driven solutions tailored to the needs of the metals sector. Through a collaborative, low-risk environment, Co-Lab helps companies move beyond pilot initiatives and towards full-scale digital transformation.

Attendees will gain practical insights and strategies for unlocking AI’s value in metal manufacturing — with a clear path from experimentation to implementation.