Metinvest Polytechnic, Ukraine’s first private mining and metallurgical university, has joined the international discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the steel industry.
The University co-organised the conference “The Steel Industry in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: innovations and smart projects”, held in Milan, and presented the Ukrainian experience of the digital transformation of the metallurgical industry, along with practical solutions already being implemented in production and in the training of future engineers.
International Partnership for the Development of Engineering Education
A longstanding partnership between Metinvest Polytechnic University and the Italian company Mill’s, headed by Dr Alberto Cavicchiolo, plays a significant role in advancing international cooperation in the field of engineering education. It was at his initiative that the Metal Hub platform was established to foster collaboration between universities, research institutions and industrial companies, with the aim of modernising engineering education and introducing innovative approaches to the training of specialists.
The conference in Milan formed part of this international initiative and brought together representatives of leading industrial companies, universities and research centres from various countries. Participants focused on the key challenges shaping the future of the European metallurgical industry, including the implementation of artificial intelligence, the electrification of production processes, decarbonisation, and the transition to intelligent models of industrial process management.
Participants placed particular emphasis on the fact that artificial intelligence is now becoming a structural factor in the industry’s competitiveness. Cost and scale of production are increasingly being complemented by data quality, the level of digitalisation, the ability to integrate AI into production value chains, as well as by the development of predictive maintenance and intelligent automation.
An important component of the international cooperation has been the educational and research programme developed by Metinvest Polytechnic in collaboration with its international partners. The programme involves Mill’s, Cimolai Group, Danieli Automation, Cimolai Technology and Cantieri T. Mariotti та Trieste Nautical Academy. The joint efforts of these organisations are creating a bridge between industrial innovation, engineering education, and applied research.
During the conference opening, the Rector of Metinvest Polytechnic, Oleksandr Povazhnyi, emphasised the importance of international partnerships for the development of modern engineering education and for training specialists capable of operating in an environment of rapid technological transformation in industry.
From Artificial Intelligence to VR Simulators
As part of the programme, participants presented practical case studies on the application of artificial intelligence in steel production, the design of steel structures, and shipbuilding. Particular attention was devoted to digital learning tools, including VR simulators and immersive technologies, which enable the development of new professional competencies.
One of the key presentations was delivered by DaniiI Tymoshenko, a graduate of Metinvest Polytechnic University and an engineer at Zaporizhstal. He presented to an international audience the AI Steel in Code project – a digital twin of a steelmaking shop and a production operator training system developed in collaboration with Oleksii Murashko. According to the project’s author, the solution combines industrial expertise, engineering approaches, and advanced digital technologies to enhance the safety and effectiveness of personnel training.
“At the international conference, I presented the AI Steel in Code project – a digital twin of Zaporizhstal’s steelmaking shop, along with a training system for the preparation of operators. We implemented this project together with Oleksii Murashko, combining industrial expertise, an engineering-driven approach, and advanced digital technologies The international audience received the development with great interest, in particular noting its practical value for training, safety and the reduction of production risks,” said Daniil TYMOSHENKO.
He also emphasised that the digital simulator creates a safe environment for training employees and allows them, even before entering the production site, to master movement routes, equipment, production operations, and potentially hazardous areas.
Ukrainian Education in the International Professional Dialogue
The conference was also attended by representatives of academic and educational institutions from India, Italy and the Philippines, as well as international technical colleges and maritime academies. Discussions among representatives of science, education and industry confirmed that the future of the metallurgical sector is being shaped through international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the joint development of technological solutions.
The participation of Metinvest Polytechnic, a Ukrainian technical university, in the international conference in Milan demonstrated the growing role of Ukrainian engineering education in global processes of industrial digital transformation and the development of new technological competencies.
