In this interview, Marta Garcia Barzana, Digital Portfolio Director at ArcelorMittal Global Research and Development (R&D), shares her journey from data scientist to a pivotal role in advancing digital technologies within the steel industry. Discover her unique perspective on managing global projects, leveraging AI, and the dynamic nature of working in a tech-driven environment.

Marta, could you start by telling us about your role. What is the typical day in your work life look like and some key projects that you're working on?

My role in R&D is as a Portfolio Director, with responsibilities on a global scale specially focusing on the digital portfolio. I manage business and technical domains under this umbrella, encompassing all projects where R&D teams apply AI across the group, from commercial, supply chain, procurement, investments, and strategy. My responsibilities are twofold: internally, I coordinate activities across our 14 R&D labs worldwide, ensuring projects are aligned and budgets are effectively managed; externally, I act as a liaison between R&D labs and business units, facilitating communication, promoting cross-plant activities, and maintaining strong connections with external partners.

Although based in R&D in Asturias, Spain, my role is global and traveling to visit other plants is a significant part of my job, especially during budget discussions or project preparations, reflecting the need for flexibility and responsiveness to help maintain maximum effectiveness and efficiency from our R&D efforts.

Now that you've outlined your role within the digital portfolio, could you explain the main objective of this department for the company?

The main objective of the digital portfolio is to apply cutting-edge AI and mathematical optimization algorithms to drive better business decisions across commercial, supply chain, procurement, strategy and finance functions, as well as improve plant productivity and throughput, all based on a solid data foundation. Additionally, we actively research breakthrough innovations that could further enhance our competitiveness in the market. We aim to ensure that our R&D teams are up to date with the latest digital technologies, encouraging them to leverage advancements to boost plant processes and productivity. Our role includes advising plants on beneficial technologies, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), while managing expectations about what AI can realistically achieve.

Additionally, we help our clients navigate through the hype of emerging technologies, offering guidance on practical applications and differentiating between genuinely useful solutions and those that might be overstated. By developing and implementing projects in-house, we not only cut costs and protect our intellectual property but also provide tailored, cost-effective solutions that align with our clients' specific needs.

What level of AI have you observed in the plants, and what advancements do you foresee them moving toward in the near future?

I have been with ArcelorMittal for eight years, starting as a data scientist working with AI models. Over time, I observed varying levels of digital maturity across our plants and business units, for example, commercial teams tend to be more digitalized than production - which is a normal occurrence. Today, however, there is a notable shift: a widespread enthusiasm for AI and a significant increase in its adoption across the company. It's rare not to find a unit within ArcelorMittal not experimenting with technology. Our company, having worked with digital technologies for over 20 years, is well-positioned to leverage AI, with plants forming their own digital teams and a robust R&D team with proven AI solutions from around the world. This proactive approach ensures we stay ahead in an industry rapidly advancing in digitalization.

How do you stay ahead in identifying the best technologies? What strategies do you use to keep yourself updated and continuously learn in this rapidly evolving field?

To stay updated, I leverage several resources essential for my role. Regular client visits require me to be knowledgeable, and although my role is more strategic than technical, I maintain a personal interest in AI from my past experience. I benefit greatly from collaborating with our in-house AI expert and engaging with AI authorities in well-known organisations pushing the boundaries of AI. Additionally, our R&D team’s scientific committees provide valuable insights into ongoing research, further fueling my curiosity. Staying informed helps me confidently discuss topics with clients and ensures I remain engaged with the latest developments.

Could you tell us more about your journey—both before and within ArcelorMittal—that led you to becoming a Portfolio Director? What was your background, and how did your career path evolve to this point?

I studied mathematics with a specialization in statistics at the University of Oviedo in Spain. Afterward, I pursued a Master’s degree in soft computing, which focused on data analytics following which I completed a PhD. I felt ready for a transition from academia, where I had been teaching students during my PhD. Although I enjoyed university life, I wanted to move into the private sector to work on more practical, applied problems, as my academic experience had been largely theoretical.

I learned about an open position in the ArcelorMittal R&D department and knowing that ArcelorMittal is the largest company in our region in Spain and a key economic driver, I found the opportunity compelling and decided to apply.

That’s how my journey at ArcelorMittal began.

I began as a data scientist, solving data-related challenges, and was promoted to a researcher after seven months, where I focused on quality control projects like predicting defects in coils. After five years, I transitioned to a team specializing in business and techno-economics, working on AI projects for business across the world. This role marked my first managerial experience, and after a year, I moved into a portfolio position, building on my prior training and understanding of business activities. My entire career has been with ArcelorMittal, where I've grown and evolved within the company.

What’s your favorite aspect of working at ArcelorMittal? And what do you appreciate most about the ecosystem here?

Even though the applications might be in manufacturing or the steel industry, we work extensively with data, testing the latest technologies, and collaborating with AI Authorities and a few differential cutting-edge startups. In R&D, we operate much like a tech company!

Many people aren’t aware of the cutting-edge developments we are involved in. Working at ArcelorMittal offers the advantages of a tech company combined with the tangible impact of industry - work that truly makes a difference in the lives of many.

What I love most about my current position is its diversity and constant change. Every day brings new topics and interactions, keeping the job exciting and never monotonous. I'm involved in various projects and engage with a wide range of people, which adds to the dynamic nature of my role. I also value the travel opportunities, which allow me to meet inspiring individuals from both within and outside the company. Despite being relatively new to the team, I've received incredible support, and I'm grateful for the numerous opportunities ArcelorMittal offers.  

What would you say to a job seeker to encourage them to join ArcelorMittal?

While they might not realize it, steel plays a crucial role in almost everything around us, and at ArcelorMittal, we're at the forefront of innovation, developing new types of steel and technologies, particularly in the pursuit of greener alternatives.

Working with us means contributing to something that directly impacts everyday life. Think about it - how many things are made out of steel? Almost everything.

It’s truly fascinating, especially considering the size of ArcelorMittal—it feels like working in many different companies simultaneously. This diversity is what makes the company so attractive. No matter your interest, you can find opportunities here. The variety within ArcelorMittal means that the company can cater to a wide range of professional interests, making it a truly dynamic place to work.

Explore the different opportunities with our R&D team here.