China has been at the forefront of digital transformation in manufacturing, a trend reflected in the rapid growth of its "lighthouse factories"—the world’s most advanced production facilities. As of this year, the World Economic Forum has recognized 189 such factories globally, with an impressive 80 located in China. Our reporter, Gong Ming, recently visited one of the latest additions to this prestigious list to see firsthand how AI-driven innovations are revolutionizing production. GONG MING, Chongqing Municipality "I’m here at one of the most advanced factories in the world, Midea’s Chongqing Chiller Factory, which has been reportedly recognized as the world’s first AI-powered lighthouse factory in the central air conditioning chiller industry. Today, we’ll take a look at how this cutting-edge facility has responded to growing demand by leveraging AI technologies to streamline complex processes, as well as enhance design and planning efficiencies." The factory specializes in large central air conditioning systems, widely used in airports and industrial plants, with 80% of its products customized. To meet rising demand and the shift toward tailored orders, it integrates AI algorithms with its self-developed chiller selector data platform and smart management system, optimizing selection and design from the initial order stage. SAM […]