How physical AI is transforming the mining industry | The Next Big Thing

Mining is becoming one of the first industries to deploy physical AI at scale, offering a glimpse into how AI could transform heavy industry. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Yudong Liu from Eacon about how physical AI is transforming the mining industry. We explore the rise of autonomous haul trucks, why mining has become an early adopter of AI at scale, and what it takes to build reliable autonomous systems in some of the world's harshest operating environments. The conversation also covers the economics of autonomous mining, the role of safety and efficiency, how AI is reshaping industrial operations, and why mining could provide an early blueprint for the wider adoption of physical AI across heavy industry.