Lower Silesia is a global capital of innovation. In September 2021 KGHM organized the Masters&Robots Industry Edition.
Global trends and unique solutions, digitalization to develop industry and innovations supporting an ecological approach – these and other issues were taken up by renowned experts during the Masters&Robots Industry Edition. This prestigious event took place in the Aula Forum in Polkowice. To celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary KGHM invited innovation leaders to come to the Copper Basin centre. The copper giant emphasizes the importance of innovation for Polish industry, and the importance of Polish industry to create modern technological solutions. For years KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. has analysed and implemented innovative solutions in its activities in copper mining and across the organization. Industry 4.0 and its development are one of the company’s strategic objectives.
The Masters&Robots series of meetings has been held for several years and offers an opportunity for representatives of the business and scientific community to meet. The four conferences held thus far have brought together more than 45 thousand attendees and more than 200 speakers from 4 continents. Topics such as the future of medicine and agriculture, nanotechnologies and Smart Cities have been discussed.
However, the Masters&Robots Industry Edition is unlike any other – it is focused on utilizing innovation to serve the interests of industry, and it is marked by its unprecedented scale. Several hundred people in total took part on site and online in the meeting in Polkowice.
This was the first conference of its type in the history of the region. At the same time, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to promote the Copper Basin – a region in which copper has been mined for six decades. A metal of the future without which there could be no talk of digital transformation, smartphones or renewable energy sources.
Excellent guests – creators of tomorrow
Ramez Naam, an authority on energy transition, and Arash Aazami, an expert on energy innovation and using AI in the power sector, were some of the invited guests. Carlo van de Weijer, Managing Director of the AI System Institute at the Eindhoven University of Technology also made an appearance. David Hanson, who is f requently called a contemporary robotics genius and the creator of Sophia, the humanoid robot, also delivered a presentation.
David Gram, a partner in LEGO Ventures and an expert in innovative lean start-up methods, and Noa Segre, a world famous strategist in implementing the culture of innovation in companies, also appeared at the conference. Jowita Michalska, an expert in automation and artificial intelligence, the originator of the Masters&Robots series in Poland, also took part in theconference.
Today, the commodities market is reacting to the regulatory changes associated with the ecological approach to the energy sector. Copper will be used in the renewable energy sector and electromobility. However, one should remember that this copper will differ f rom the copper we have mined thus far. Why? Because that copper will feature a much smaller carbon footprint. We at KGHM are utilizing renewable energy sources more and more extensively, we are investing in recycling. Copper is participating the world’s transformation but it is also un dergoing transformation.
Artificial intelligence and data analysis
In addition to energy-related issues the experts also presented examples of applying artificial intelligence to solve the problems of modern organizations. They gave consideration to how to build innovative organizations in the face of the current digital challenges.
Today acquiring information should be an organization’s primary objective. Data is needed not only to create new technological solutions but is also th e basis of innovation. New challenges continue to emerge in post-covid reality. To adapt to the dynamic situation organizations should first and foremost focus on implementing modern solutions. The Masters&Robots conference forms a unique opportunity to gain a broader perspective and valuable know-how. The topics discussed cover many current and important themes starting with the natural environment and climate change to automation and artificial intelligence.