The “AI+ Empowering Rail Transit and Clean Energy Equipment” Technology Forum, held in Beijing on August 18, gathered over 230 experts and scholars to discuss the integration of artificial intelligence with high-end equipment. The event was guided by the China Railway Society and co-hosted by CRRC, marking the 9th CRRC Intelligent Manufacturing Innovation Forum.
AI-Led Momentum, Toward Open and Green Ecosystems
Wang Tongjun, President of the China Railway Society, noted that high-level exchange platforms will continue to accelerate the application of frontier technologies in railway scenarios, making intelligence, green development, and safety new hallmarks of China’s rail transit.
Liu Ke’an, Vice President of CRRC, emphasized that as the only equipment manufacturer included in the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission’s first “AI+ Action” initiative, CRRC is committed to building an open ecosystem with global partners, positioning artificial intelligence as the “super engine” driving iterative leaps in rail transit and clean energy equipment.
Liu Yan, Deputy Director-General of the Science and Legal Affairs Department of the National Railway Administration, described rail transit equipment as the “stabilizing anchor” of China’s strategic emerging industries. The deep integration of AI, she noted, not only helps overcome key technical challenges but also underpins the construction of a modern industrial system.
The opening session was chaired by Yu Yuebin, CRRC Chief Engineer and Secretary-General of the Rail Transit Equipment Division of the China Railway Society.
Exchanging Ideas, Envisioning Future
The forum featured 13 keynote speeches on cutting-edge “AI+” applications, highlighting shifts in industrial paradigms.
Yu Haibin, head of the preparatory group for the Institute of Industrial Artificial Intelligence, delivered a talk titled “AI-Driven Paradigms and Prospects for Intelligent Manufacturing.” He outlined technical roadmaps for industrial AI and its potential to comprehensively empower advanced manufacturing.
Zuo Jianyong, Professor at Tongji University, presented “Exploring Rail Transit Equipment Innovation from the Perspective of Engineering Intelligence,” showcasing case studies where engineering intelligence drives industry upgrades and shapes the future of smart rail systems.
Additional experts—including Professor Bao Ergude of Beijing Jiaotong University and 10 others—shared insights on AI applications across domains such as rail engineering, CRRC’s AI development practices, the application of large industrial models to digital transformation, CRRC’s unified AI service platform, data-driven intelligent operations, AI’s role in clean energy equipment R&D, and the broader outlook for AI integration in rail transit.
The series of presentations offered participants a “feast of knowledge.” Experts agreed that the forum built a bridge for deep integration across government, industry, academia, research, and application. It clarified a “roadmap” and “blueprint” for fusing AI with rail transit and clean energy equipment. Looking ahead, participants pledged to foster more open ecosystems, collaborative innovation, and real-world applications to accelerate new-quality productive forces and help China’s high-end equipment remain a global leader.
