Speaking Monday at the “Digital Maturity Assessment of Industries and Businesses in the Seventh Development Plan” event, Abbaszadeh said that while artificial intelligence has seen rapid adoption in advanced global industries, Iranian companies have yet to reach a sufficient level of digital maturity. He added that under the Seventh Development Plan, the Oil Ministry is required to pursue defined objectives in digital transformation and the application of new technologies to further strengthen smart infrastructure across the oil, gas, refining and petrochemical sectors.

He noted that the plan mandates the ministry to install smart mass-measurement devices throughout the production chain to enable real-time data monitoring and transmission. “This allows production, refining, and conversion data to be transferred accurately at all stages and supports more informed managerial decisions,” he said.

Need for integrated industry systems

Abbaszadeh highlighted that data collection in the petrochemical sector remains fragmented. “Many parts of the industry currently collect data in isolated systems, and there is no comprehensive integration among platforms,” he said, adding that given the industry’s high-risk nature, secure data transmission systems are essential.

He also pointed to the ongoing challenge of connecting industrial control systems (DCS) with IT and OT networks. “One of the major challenges we face is the fragmentation caused by privatization. After petrochemical complexes were transferred to various companies and holdings, the data and management connections among them were severed,” Abbaszadeh said.

He emphasized that digital transformation could restore synergy and reduce costs by reconnecting systems and data. “The NPC is pursuing new goals aimed at unifying all elements of the industry through a fresh approach,” he said. “We want to make intelligent use of the valuable data available in companies, as this data can serve as the foundation for applying artificial intelligence in decision-making.”

AI to drive petrochemical growth

Abbaszadeh said artificial intelligence could play a key role in identifying new markets, analyzing global trends, and guiding the development of new petrochemical units. “AI enables us to forecast the industry’s future more precisely and make data-driven investment decisions so that future developments align with market demand and competitive advantages,” he said.

Referring to the NPC’s new cooperation with the ICT Ministry, Abbaszadeh reiterated that the petrochemical industry has been assigned to assist in achieving education equity and digitizing schools. “This initiative is being followed up and will yield valuable benefits for the country’s children,” he said.