The Global Artificial Intelligence Technology Conference (2020) is held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, from July 25 to 26. [Photo/ zj.zjol.com.cn]

Artificial intelligence technologies are reshaping the manufacturing sector in East China's Zhejiang province at a rapid pace, said experts who were attending the recent Global Artificial Intelligence Technology Conference (2020) in Hangzhou.

"Since the coronavirus outbreak, the global industrial chain has been undergoing a series of changes, with a large number of companies concerned about the rupturing of the upstream and downstream supply chain. In addressing the business risk, enterprises need to think about the pathway for intelligent manufacturing," Wang Yaonan, a top robotics expert and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said in his speech at the conference.

An intelligent manufacturing workshop of MinFound Medical Systems Co Ltd. [Photo/ zj.zjol.com.cn]

MinFound Medical Systems Co Ltd, an X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) manufacturer based in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, has adopted intelligent technologies for its production of parts, testing, quality checks, transportation and services for its CT products. The company is also working on intelligent assembling, the last missing link in its digital transformation. Since the coronavirus outbreak, the company's sales have increased by nearly 50 percent, with 20 percent of its purchasing orders coming from abroad.

"We have long been focusing on the R&D of artificial intelligence technologies and building intelligent production lines. However, the heavy input of equipment and talent in this regard is indeed a significant financial burden for us to bear," Wang Yaofa, chairman of MinFound, said. The company's R&D expenses for medical equipment have so far exceeded 2 billion yuan ($288 million).