Digitalization Applications Technology Committee Meeting

3–4 November 2025 • EVEN Austin Uptown near The Domain • Austin, TX, USA

►Agenda (PDF)
►Register or contact ldlugopolski@aist.org

Tour of Amazon AUS2 Fulfillment Center

Arrangements

EVEN Austin Uptown near The Domain
13205 Burnet Road Building #2
Austin, TX 78727

Reserve by 6 October for AIST Room Rate of $125 ($10 fee is removed at checkout) 

For reservations, book online  

AIST technology committee members are asked to print out the latest revised meeting agenda from our website one week prior to this meeting.

Monday 3 November

  1. Chair’s opening remarks - Kris Kent, Nucor Steel Arkansas      <08:00 a.m.>
  2. Appoint minute-taker
  3. Antitrust guidelines
  4. Membership and attendance
  5. Review minutes of previous meeting
  6. AIST Staff Announcements
  7. Steel Industry Fatalities
  8. Main agenda items
    • AISTech session development - Brad Morgan, Nucor Steel Arkansas & Chalapathy Devarakonda, Big River Steel
      • Selection of Abstracts (Due by 16 Sept) – (Handle via conference call if necessary)
      • Determine session structure (Due by 28 Oct) including session titles & session chairs
      • Review Papers Chair and Session Chair instructions
    • Solicit DATC Session Chairs for AISTech 2026
    • Finalize AISTech call for papers for next year

DIGITALIZATION APPLICATIONS
 Relevant topics include digitalization technologies in addition to traditional computer applications.  Digitalization technologies include applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced analytics, the use of digital twins, big data, cloud computing, augmented or virtual reality, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and other applications of digitalization technologies that advance or transform iron and steel processes.  Traditional computer applications include existing, new, and emerging uses of computers to control, monitor and interface steel manufacturing and processing; evolution of industrial control systems — hierarchies and mobile interfaces; modern control system technologies driving a safer workplace; the application of advanced process modeling and control; the impact of human factors and safety in process control (such as users, engineers and support personnel); manufacturing execution systems and business systems; network/wireless communications; automation planning and software development methodologies; database, data warehousing, data mining systems and predictive analytics; remediation of legacy automation systems; and cybersecurity for industrial control systems.

  • Technology committee award planning 
  1. AISTech 2026 DATC Best Paper Awards – To be finalized by November 2025
  2. Nominations for Board of Directors Level Awards—Distinguished Member and Fellow, Sendzimir Award, Fairless Award, and Steelmaker of the Year nominations
  3. Tadeusz Sendzimir Memorial Medal
    This recognition is for engineers who have made a major contribution to the steelmaking process, to the individual or individuals who have advanced steelmaking through the invention, development or application of new manufacturing processes or equipment.  
    Any nominee for this award needs to have a Technology Committee “sponsoring” the award by having the principal nominator be a member of an AIST Technology Committee and one of three required letters of endorsement must be from the Technology Committee chair. 

Nominations are due by 30 November. A brief biography of the nominee. A draft citation as to why your nominee would receive the award. The required number of endorsement letters for that particular award. The endorsement letters should be sent by e-mail, addressed to the AIST Awards and Recognition Program Committee, to nmattern@aist.org. More info: https://www.aist.org/about-aist/awards-recognition/board-of-directors-awards  

Technology Training conferences: 

  1. Automation and Controls Fundamentals, Indianapolis, IN. Co-located with Cold Rolling Seminar. Date 8-13 March 2026.

Website: https://www.aist.org/conferences-expositions/technology-training/system-automation-fundamentals

  1. Digital Transformation for the Steel Industry Forum, 13-14 October 2026, Sheraton, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Website: https://www.aist.org/conferences-expositions/technology-training/digital-transformation-forum

Call for abstracts, please send your abstract to agauffin@aist.org

Organizing Committee:

Jamie Stewart, USS
Gaurav Malhotra, Nucor  
Bernard Chukwulebe, Arcelormittal
Nathan Settlemire, Chartersteel
Rob Oldroyd, Nucor 
Patrick Gallagher, MSA 
Mike Dudzic, former Arcelormittal 
Franck Adjogble, SMS Group Inc. 
Philip Woodward, Danieli
Yufeng Wang, SSAB  
Liwei Zhang, ArcelorMittal
James Hendrickson, NWI Automation

  1. Webinars Visit: https://www.aist.org/conference-expositions/webinars

"Change Management in Digital Transformation" 
 Request for Presentations, email agauffin@aist.org 

Discussion items
<meeting topic and presentations to be filled in by Committee Chair>

 Next meeting - Indianapolis, IN. Combine with Automation and Controls Fundamentals Meeting Date 8-13 March 2026.

Lunch in Meeting Room     <11:00 a.m.>

Tour: TBD

Tuesday 4 November

  1. Presentations    <09:00 a.m.>
    1. Reactive Scheduling and the Point of No Return: What Software Can (and Cannot) Do, Michael Peintinger, Smart Steel Technologies
    2. Modernizing Legacy Infrastructure: Digital Retrofits for Radioactive Thickness Measurement Systems, David Kober, Global Gauge
    3. TBD
  2. Chair conclusion - Kris Kent, Nucor Steel Arkansas
  3. Adjourn      <Noon>