schneider electric yin zheng: how to make good use of ai to create a transformational growth tool
2024-10-02
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currently, with the continuous upgrade of generative ai and general large models such as chatgpt, a new round of artificial intelligence (ai) boom has set off around the world. previously, machine learning technology has been developed for many years and has entered many industry fields. in china, with the introduction of the "artificial intelligence +" policy, ai technology is moving from single-point applications to diversified applications, from general scenarios to industry-specific scenarios, and has become a key force in creating "new quality productivity".
ai is reshaping industries. generative ai has changed the business processes of many industries through more powerful human-machine collaboration; whether it is agriculture, industry, education, or medical care, new tracks are emerging in various fields. facing a new round of ai craze, companies are generally concerned about: is ai "worth the money"? how to deploy ai to obtain better benefits?
yin zheng, executive vice president of schneider electric and president of china and east asia
it is investment, more importantly, ai creates a powerful tool for transformation and growth
the imagination about ai is exciting, but new technologies often require investment, which discourages many companies. in fact, investment in ai does not start from scratch, but is an inevitable part of the digital transformation process of enterprises. at the beginning of the digitalization process, enterprises need to invest a lot of costs and resources to collect and transmit data, connect systems, and build platforms. to further revitalize these data and systems, companies need to apply technologies such as machine learning, deep learning, and generative ai to business scenarios, deeply mine the value of data, continuously optimize process processes, and improve energy efficiency. the introduction of ai is exactly the way to maximize the benefits of early investment in digital transformation.
many practical use cases prove that ai can help enterprises explore more opportunities to improve quality and efficiency, and bring higher profits. for example, schneider electric customized an intelligent control strategy containing ai algorithms for a beer production line. by optimizing the amount of materials added, it achieved the optimization of overall quality, cost, and efficiency, quickly increasing the efficiency of related processes by 15%. the data center of a commercial bank deployed schneider electric's smartcool terminal air-conditioning energy-saving solution, which deeply integrates ai algorithms and machine learning technology. while improving cooling efficiency by 20%, it also saves 31% of electricity, which not only improves business efficiency, but also saves energy and reduces carbon emissions. , achieve sustainable development.
therefore, rather than saying that ai is a "cost assassin", it is better to say that it is an amplifier of digital investment returns. as long as it is deployed properly, ai can not only accelerate the digitalization and green and low-carbon "double transformation" of enterprises, but also achieve multi-dimensional transformational growth. as yin zheng, executive vice president of schneider electric and president of china and east asia, pointed out: "ai is not a new track, but a new schedule for digital transformation. enterprises should actively embrace new trends and accelerate transformation with technology as the driving force."
three major conditions lay a solid foundation for ai value
since deploying ai can "do twice the result with half the effort", can companies start immediately? yin zheng said that ai applications have certain technical thresholds. to realize the value of ai, enterprises must meet three major conditions:
first, we must lay a good digital “foundation”. ai is not an isolated castle in the air, its foundation is digitalization. by continuously providing massive amounts of real data to algorithms and models, digital systems create a broad field for ai to play a role. from development, testing, application to maintenance, software has built a "laboratory" and "operating station" for ai, and ai technology is constantly changing the field of software engineering, helping to develop more intelligent software and strengthening software functions.
it can be said that digitalization is the foundation for the implementation of ai in the industry. it is a key platform for it to integrate into scenarios, collaborate with people, respond to challenges, and even learn and evolve on its own. without digitization, ai is impossible to talk about.
schneider electric integrates the industry's leading three major technologies of digitalization, automation, and electrification to help ai penetrate into all aspects of the business. for example, in order to build a zero-carbon smart factory, schneider electric has integrated ai algorithms into multiple aspects such as new energy consumption, smart energy dispatch, asset operation and maintenance, and supply chain management to quickly and accurately analyze and optimize business operations and energy management. , helping factories achieve zero carbon, intelligence, and efficiency. at schneider electric’s wuxi “lighthouse factory”, ai algorithms combined with multiple digital technologies such as the internet of things, software, and 5g networks have increased annual productivity by 14% and achieved 100% green electricity consumption, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 2,400 tons annually. , the income is considerable.
secondly, companies must “tailor-fit” products based on the needs of the scenario. in the ai era, the combination of it and ot is still the most important principle. the business scenarios of various industries vary widely, and general large models are often difficult to meet the requirements. only customized ai solutions that include ot experience and specific parameters can be quickly implemented and effective. therefore, enterprises do not need to use ai for everything, but should embed ai technology into overall solutions based on business scenario needs to maximize cost benefits.
schneider electric has integrated ai technology into rich digital solutions, created more than 100 real use cases, and launched the enterprise-level artificial intelligence platform ecostruxure ai engine to help various industries achieve one-stop ai model construction, deployment and operation and maintenance. . combining industry experience, this ai engine has been widely used in many industries such as automobiles, food and beverages, buildings, and data centers. it can increase production efficiency by 3%-5% on average and reduce energy consumption by 5%-10% every year.
in addition, open collaboration is also key to promoting ai applications. the current mainstream ai technology comes from the it industry. to truly implement it, solution providers with it and ot technologies and industrial users need to participate to create an open ecosystem and promote it together. schneider electric cooperated with nvidia to launch the industry's first customized reference design for intelligent computing centers. through technical collaboration, it promoted breakthrough changes in edge artificial intelligence and digital twin technology and provided technical support for industry development.
from short-term gains to long-term growth, build an ai-driven enterprise
advanced technology always brings disruptive changes. facing the wave of ai technology, schneider electric recommends that companies focus on specific application scenarios and implement ai applications in four major steps: first, unify consensus and plan the overall situation. companies need to clarify the goals of ai applications, starting from "business value growth, reliability and resilience, the five dimensions of "efficiency and satisfaction, sustainable development, and innovative business models" comprehensively evaluate the value and impact of ai. secondly, focus on the scenario, run quickly in small steps, provide timely feedback through in-depth application of typical scenarios, flexibly adjust the direction, and iterate quickly. third, data is accumulated, barriers are built, non-public and unique industry knowledge and experience are accumulated through ai applications, and core competitiveness is formed for the future. finally, ai technology is used to empower all employees, cultivate employee capabilities, and achieve joint innovation.
at each stage, enterprises must comprehensively evaluate the cost-benefit, input-output, and investment-output of ai, adhere to data and knowledge governance, and continue to promote organizational change. by implementing specific application scenarios one by one, enterprises can use ai applications as an opportunity to continue to promote the all-round transformation of technology, business, talents, and vision, and eventually grow into an ai-driven enterprise, forming an "innovation-driven, digital, green and low-carbon enterprise." "the long-term growth model makes technology truly the core driving force for enterprise development.
yin zheng emphasized: "ai is just a tool, and the ultimate goal of enterprise transformation is growth. at present, enterprises should actively deploy advanced technologies to enhance comprehensive competitiveness and form future competitive advantages. schneider electric is willing to help more chinese enterprises take advantage of ai and jointly create an efficient and sustainable future.” (chen dong)
