(Yicai) May 29 -- The home appliance industry hub in China's southern Guangdong province is embarking on a new round of upgrades, using artificial intelligence technologies to break through the manufacturing capabilities ceiling and enhance products' international competitiveness.

"My top priority is accelerating the use of AI and robots to drive corporate transformation," Yao Youjun, president of Homa Appliances, said in an interview with Yicai at the annual meeting of the Guangdong Home Appliance Chamber of Commerce held on May 27. "By leveraging the explosive development of AI and robotics in China, we aim to elevate the firm's manufacturing capabilities and competitiveness.

"By integrating AI and robots, Homa has saved around one-third of its workforce, with its factory's production efficiency ranking among the top in the industry," Yao pointed out. The premiumization of the company's refrigerators relies on high-quality production lines, he added.

Guangdong's home appliance industry cluster has begun a new round of development, with AI models, including TCL Technology's Fuxi, Hisense Group's Xinghai, and Midea Group's Meiyan, already in practical application, said Zhu Jun, deputy chairman of the China Household Electrical Appliances Association.

Integrating AI, the internet, and home appliances will likely give rise to a new interconnected ecosystem, including people, vehicles, and homes, according to Zhu.

To keep pace in the AI era, Homa has formed a team of over 30 young professionals to speed up the implementation of AI tech across all business segments, Yao said. Over the past five years, the firm has invested more than CNY300 million (USD41.6 million) in AI, robotics, and digitalization while integrating DeepSeek's AI model into its information system for localized applications this year, he noted.

There has been a big drop in workload in supplier order input and customer document delivery due to the application of data robotics, Yao said. In addition, system integration with shipping companies and using AI to generate various business reports has significantly improved booking efficiency, he added.

TCL's air conditioning business actively promotes the application of AI in products, manufacturing, marketing, and management, said Chen Shaolin, senior vice president of TCL Industry and general manager of TCL Air Conditioner Division.

After applying AI smart production tech, the efficiency of TCL plants has been greatly improved, making them capable of rolling out one finished air conditioner every eight seconds, Chen noted. Air conditioners equipped with AI can automatically adjust temperatures based on users' sleep state and are capable of voice interactions, Chen pointed out.

AI tools have been integrated into Vanward New Electric's daily management tasks, including generating work plans and designs and after-sales services, said Chairman Lu Yucong. The company's factory in Thailand has seen a significant improvement in production efficiency after implementing digital tools, Lu added.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Martin Kadiev