— Prof. Yusuf Sinan Akgül, Dean of the GTU Faculty of Engineering and faculty member of the Department of Computer Engineering, participated in the EFRS 2026 International Iron and Steel Symposium.

— Prof. Akgül served as a panelist at the opening session titled "The Future of Steel Plants in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization", held on the first day of the symposium.

— Akgül's presentation explored the historical evolution of artificial intelligence, its impact on industrial processes, and the opportunities digital transformation presents for heavy industry.

Prof. Yusuf Sinan Akgül, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Gebze Technical University (GTU), shared his insights on artificial intelligence during the opening panel of the EFRS 2026 International Iron and Steel Symposium.

The 10th International Iron and Steel Symposium (EFRS 2026), organized biennially by the Training Center of the Chamber of Metallurgical and Materials Engineers (METEM) under the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), was held at the İzmir Tepekule Congress and Exhibition Center under the main theme, "Digital Steel for a Greener World."

Bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and academics, the symposium provided a comprehensive platform to discuss green transformation and digitalization across the iron and steel industry.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Industry

On the first day of the symposium, the opening panel titled "The Future of Steel Plants in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization" was moderated by Halil Kulluk, Chairman and CEO of Intekno Group. Speaking on the panel, Prof. Yusuf Sinan Akgül, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Gebze Technical University (GTU) and faculty member of the Department of Computer Engineering, shared the evolution of artificial intelligence from its theoretical foundations to its current state with the audience.

Smart Solutions for Manufacturing Processes

Prof. Akgül stated that artificial intelligence has now become central to modern industry and has reached a turning point where it can no longer be overlooked. Emphasizing the importance of using the technology effectively and responsibly, he highlighted three key application areas, particularly within the iron and steel industry. He underscored the significance of AI-powered quality control systems that integrate optical inspection and data analysis to minimize production errors. He also drew attention to predictive maintenance technologies, which utilize intelligent sensors to detect equipment failures and anticipate machine lifespans, as well as process optimization and energy management solutions, where AI algorithms support operational processes to improve efficiency and maximize the effective use of factory resources.

Through its forward-looking educational approach and strong industry collaborations, GTU remains committed to leading the effective, responsible, and value-added adoption of artificial intelligence technologies in Türkiye.

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