2023 will be the year next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) makes a significant appearance at Nor-Shipping, with DNV hinting at an AI-driven drone project
Speaking in Oslo in April 2023 ahead of Nor-Shipping, which takes place in June 2023, DNV group research and development programme director Hans Anton Tvete gave a peek into the areas of AI DNV is assessing.
Mr Tvete said AI is rapidly moving from research to practical application in our daily lives, operations and society. “It has been referred to as digitalisation on steroids,” he said.
In the maritime industry, AI has the potential to bring about a paradigm shift and create countless opportunities.
One key concern, however, is safety. While the excitement around AI grows, it is essential to ensure these technologies are introduced into the maritime industry in a safe, trustworthy and ethical manner, said Mr Tvete.
DNV recognised this requires procedures for assurance, including goal-based requirements that align with industry objectives and strict adherence to evidence-based standards.
“As a response to this, we are developing and launching our new recommended practice for assurance of AI-enabled systems this year,” he said.
DNV, a leader in testing, inspection and certification services, is committed to establishing procedures and tools to ensure AI-enabled systems meet the necessary safety and industry standards.
DNV’s new recommended practice for assuring AI-enabled systems adheres to the EU AI act, ensuring compliance.
Testing AI-enabled systems requires complex simulations and the ability to test a wide range of scenarios. DNV has been developing and testing high-fidelity and low-fidelity simulations to assess various scenarios quickly and effectively.
Furthermore, DNV has been working with augmentations to train AI algorithms to detect and adjust to various factors.
In one project on object detection for an autonomous vessel system, the algorithm was instructed to build a boundary box around the vessel. In a simulation, the veseel was tilted by six degrees, and the algorithm adjusted the boundary box to suit the new profile of the vessel. But the algorithm was unable to adjust to a three degree tilt. “It was illogical,” said Mr Tvete, “and required more testing.”
DNV recognises the opportunities and potential of AI in the maritime industry and is working with partners to harness these possibilities.
A teasing glimpse of the future was the outline of a project developing an automated drone inspection service to detect corrosion, cracks and deformations in the tank area.
Mr Tvete concluded with the advice that while it is easy to be excited by the possibilities of AI, it is a complex field that requires a cautious and thorough approach to ensure safety and industry compliance.
With DNV’s experience in assurance and commitment to innovative solutions, the future of AI in the maritime industry looks bright.
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