THE ROLE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE METALLURGICAL INDUSTRY

The metallurgical industry, a capital- and energy-intensive sector of the global economy, is undergoing structural transformation driven by digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). Drawing on industry reports, academic literature, and official regulatory documents, this article examines the scale, mechanisms, and quantifiable effects of digital transformation in metallurgical production by combining international market evidence, enterprise case studies, and the institutional context of Uzbekistan. The global AI-in-manufacturing market is projected to grow from USD 5.3 billion in 2024 to USD 47.9 billion by 2030. Case evidence from major metallurgical enterprises illustrates the potential of AI and data-driven technologies to improve productivity, optimise production processes, and generate substantial economic benefits. Tata Steel, for example, has reported approximately USD 1.4 billion in EBITDA savings associated with the use of big data and artificial intelligence. Uzbekistan's major metallurgical enterprises, including the Almalyk and Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Companies and Uzmetkombinat, are increasingly incorporating digital and AI technologies into their development programmes. Current initiatives envisage increasing equipment utilisation efficiency by 20% and reducing production costs by 10% through digitalisation and the introduction of AI technologies. The article concludes with recommendations for the responsible and effective adoption of AI in Uzbekistan's metallurgical industry.