AI investments is paying off
Over 20 new projects were launched by Sandvik last year to develop AI in component manufacturing, mining and rock processing operations. The investment is already producing success stories that show customers how AI can mitigate risks, optimize costs and increase revenue.
How Sandvik uses AI to drive transformation
Sandvik is investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI). “We have two key ambitions around digitalization,” says Rahul Kedia, Chief AI Officer at Sandvik. “One is to digitalize our company end-to-end, because we want smarter, faster and more efficient processes. Then we want to digitalize our customers, which means we want to digitalize our products and services. AI contributes to both of these missions.”
Kedia is head of Sandvik Artificial Intelligence and Automation Center for Enablement (CFE). CFE was established at the end of 2022 to enable and expedite the usage and adoption of AI and automation across Sandvik. “In 2023, when we started, we undertook a lot of enablement activities, such as ideation, lighthouse sessions and thinking about the art of the possible,” says Kedia. “Then in 2024 we presented some of this work to management and received the investment to do some real hands-on work.”
Software engineers powering over 20 AI projects
Over 20 AI projects have since been launched, divided between external customer-facing solutions and internal operations. They involve Sandvik AI software engineers in the CFE working in collaboration with business units across the whole of Sandvik.
“AI will, through operational efficiency, help us reduce costs,” says Kedia. “It will also help us create new revenue streams and mitigate our risks.
By creating digital wraparounds to the traditionally excellent Sandvik physical products, we will help our customers be more productive and profitable too.
AI development in manufacturing and mining operations
While many of the 20 AI projects launched last year are still in development, some have already been made available to customers, including a Manufacturing Copilot. The use of this generative AI tool in manufacturing simplifies the user experience on Computer Aided Manufacturing software. Through conversational interfaces the AI answers questions from users about the software tools, helping customers make informed decisions and thereby maximizing productivity.
A similar intelligent advisor that uses generative AI to provide user information has been launched for Sandvik load and haul machines used in the mining industry. “Another AI application for use in the mining industry that we plan to roll out to customers in 2025 is an automated rock bolt inspection solution,” says Kedia. “Rock bolts are used to stabilize rock excavations and the new AI-enabled tool identifies the best places to locate the bolts, improving safety at the mines. Then we have a lot of tools being developed around predictive maintenance and tool wear.”
WearApp™, an AI enabled maintenance management tool for use in the mining and construction industry, has recently been launched. By accurately predicting wear rates on screening media used for rock processing, it can save customers time and money.
“We are also developing automated tool wear identification for our manufacturing brand Seco,” Kedia adds. “After the tools are used, it will identify whether they can be reconditioned or repurposed. We are similarly developing AI-enabled visual inspection of inserts. The inserts used in cutting tools are currently inspected manually, but we want to let AI do this instead. These computer-vision methods eliminate human error and inefficiencies.”
Adoption in industrial sectors
Kedia says that these projects, resulting from the investment Sandvik has made in AI, will help with what he sees as the main challenge moving forward. “We need to focus on change management,” he says. “How can we get people to use the tools that we are creating? It is the biggest challenge today. Not just for Sandvik, but across the whole industry. How can we work with people so that they understand the benefits that these technologies will have on their jobs and their businesses.
“But now we have some success stories and reference cases,” he adds. “So far there has been a lot of hype around AI, but now people can see what it means, what is the business opportunity, what is the beneficial impact. And our customers are very interested too. They want to be on the journey with us.”