The World Economic Forum in Davos released its latest list of global lighthouse factories on Jan 15, with 16 of the 23 new sites located in China. Among them, Hisense Visual Technology's factory in Qingdao, Shandong province, made history as the first television manufacturing site worldwide to receive this prestigious recognition.

Known as the Oscars of global manufacturing, the lighthouse designation represents the pinnacle of smart manufacturing. The Qingdao facility earned its spot by developing a dual-engine digital transformation model focused on "user-centricity + full-chain artificial intelligence".

Traditionally, TV manufacturing involves complex processes with hundreds of potential workflow combinations, heavily reliant on engineer experience. AI has now changed this.

At this factory, a digital AI process design system can create a complete production plan — including steps, operational requirements, and material allocation — in just five minutes, increasing efficiency by 75 percent. The highly automated production line, featuring 25 self-developed systems, 11 of which are industry-first innovations, produces a finished 85-inch TV every 20 seconds.

"As technology advances, its purpose is not to replace people but to free them from repetitive tasks for more creative work," said Yuan Haidong, general manager of Hisense's Smart Manufacturing Division.

Since September 2025, the lighthouse factory selection has categorized sites into five types: customer, productivity, supply chain, sustainability, and talent. This new beacon in Shandong now illuminates the way forward for intelligent manufacturing.

Hisense Visual Technology's factory in Qingdao, Shandong province, makes history by becoming the first television manufacturing site worldwide to receive this prestigious recognition. [Photo/Dazhong News]