On August 22, a specialized delegation comprising members from the Liaocheng Industrial Industry Service Center and the Liaocheng Artificial Intelligence Society embarked on a research visit to Yandian Town in Linqing City. The primary objective of this visit was to conduct an in-depth assessment of the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption within the bearing industry, including its practical applications, real-world use cases, and developmental requirements. Additionally, the delegation aimed to evaluate the operational performance and impact of the “Bearing Industry Brain”—a centralized AI-driven platform designed to support and streamline industrial transformation.

Through this comprehensive field study, the delegation was able to gather valuable insights into how local enterprises have embraced intelligent transformation, the challenges they face, and the opportunities that lie ahead. The visit also served as a platform for exchanging knowledge and identifying potential areas for further technological integration and policy support.

The research team toured several bearing manufacturing enterprises in Linqing, where they conducted on-site inspections of production lines and observed the integration of AI technologies in real manufacturing environments. These visits included demonstrations of AI-powered quality control systems, predictive maintenance tools, and automated logistics solutions. The team was particularly impressed by the efficiency improvements and data-driven decision-making capabilities enabled by intelligent systems.

During the subsequent symposium, officials from the Linqing Bureau of Industry and Information Technology delivered a detailed presentation outlining the evolutionary trajectory of the local bearing industry—from early automation efforts to the current phase of intelligent manufacturing. They emphasized the city’s strategic focus on fostering specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative enterprises (often referred to as “zhuanjingtexin” enterprises in China’s industrial policy framework). The bureau also highlighted progress in building intelligent manufacturing bases, including the establishment of smart factories equipped with IoT-enabled machinery and AI analytics platforms.

Experts from academia, industry, and technology firms participated in a series of in-depth discussions during the symposium. Key topics included the application of large-scale AI models and intelligent agents in manufacturing, strategies for digital transformation, methods for enhancing export capabilities through AI-driven market analysis, and the development of a customized big data platform tailored specifically to the bearing industry. The discussions also touched upon the importance of talent development, data security, and cross-sector collaboration to sustain the momentum of intelligent transformation.

Overall, the research visit underscored the growing role of AI in reshaping traditional manufacturing sectors and highlighted Linqing’s proactive approach in leveraging intelligent technologies to drive industrial upgrading. The insights gathered from this visit are expected to inform future policy decisions and technological investments aimed at further accelerating the digital and intelligent transformation of the bearing industry in the region.