Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Part 2 – The use of AI in autonomous ships: Possibilities and challenges
While some look at AI and advanced automation as the necessary key ingredient in autonomous control, others look at it with scepticism and claim that it is difficult to use in safety related functions. These sessions will discuss possibilities and hindrances related to the use of AI in autonomous ship control.
13:40 Welcome
13:50 Session 3 – The current state of AI in autonomous ship operations
Moderator: Ørnulf Jan Rødseth, General Manager NFAS
AI and machine learning seem to be integral components of autonomous vehicles in most parts of the world. This in spite of many people pointing to problems with AI, e.g. in developing deterministic and testable control systems and in ensuring national control over the technology. What is the status of developments in Asia, USA and Europe and what outlooks do we have on AI in autonomous ships? Questions to be asked are:
In what areas are AI mainly used? Object detection/recognition, maintenance, control?
Is AI seen as a problem or a solution? Where do we get reliable training data from?
Do we need special regulations on the use of AI in autonomous ships?
Is this a national competitive edge or should we cooperate more internationally?
Speakers:
Jin Kim, Vice President, Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Hideyuki Ando, Director, Monohakobi Technology Institute, Japan
Sean Pribyl, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP, USA
Øyvind Smogeli, CEO/CTO, Zeabus, Norway
15:00 Break and refreshments
15:30 Session 4 – Challenges with use of advanced automation and AI
One problem with AI is in developing deterministic and testable control systems. In addition, the geopolitical and security issues with some countries’ dominance may be seen as a problem. The human factor and the cooperation between human operators and AI-based control or decision support systems may also be an issue. Finally, how will the authorities and the class address these problems when autonomous ships using AI is in the approval phase? Some questions to be asked are:
Are there geopolitical or other international challenges with ownership to AI technology?
Regulation is appearing. Are these regulations to restricting or to weak?
Do we understand well enough any challenges related to the sue of AI in safety systems?
How do we go about approving AI-based and safety related systems? Is it at all possible?
Speakers:
John Alexander McDermid, Professor, University of York UK, safety of AI
Tor Stokke, Simonsen Vogt Wiig, International and geopolitical
Sveinung Soma, REMOTA, Human factor and cooperation
Erik Røsæg, Professor UiO, EU AI Act and other legal implications
Frank Børre Pedersen, Director Martime programme, Group R&D, DNV
Part 2 – The use of AI in autonomous ships: Possibilities and challenges
While some look at AI and advanced automation as the necessary key ingredient in autonomous control, others look at it with scepticism and claim that it is difficult to use in safety related functions. These sessions will discuss possibilities and hindrances related to the use of AI in autonomous ship control.
13:40 Welcome
13:50 Session 3 – The current state of AI in autonomous ship operations
Moderator: Ørnulf Jan Rødseth, General Manager NFAS
AI and machine learning seem to be integral components of autonomous vehicles in most parts of the world. This in spite of many people pointing to problems with AI, e.g. in developing deterministic and testable control systems and in ensuring national control over the technology. What is the status of developments in Asia, USA and Europe and what outlooks do we have on AI in autonomous ships? Questions to be asked are:
In what areas are AI mainly used? Object detection/recognition, maintenance, control?
Is AI seen as a problem or a solution? Where do we get reliable training data from?
Do we need special regulations on the use of AI in autonomous ships?
Is this a national competitive edge or should we cooperate more internationally?
Speakers:
Jin Kim, Vice President, Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Hideyuki Ando, Director, Monohakobi Technology Institute, Japan
Sean Pribyl, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP, USA
Øyvind Smogeli, CEO/CTO, Zeabus, Norway
15:00 Break and refreshments
15:30 Session 4 – Challenges with use of advanced automation and AI
One problem with AI is in developing deterministic and testable control systems. In addition, the geopolitical and security issues with some countries’ dominance may be seen as a problem. The human factor and the cooperation between human operators and AI-based control or decision support systems may also be an issue. Finally, how will the authorities and the class address these problems when autonomous ships using AI is in the approval phase? Some questions to be asked are:
Are there geopolitical or other international challenges with ownership to AI technology?
Regulation is appearing. Are these regulations to restricting or to weak?
Do we understand well enough any challenges related to the sue of AI in safety systems?
How do we go about approving AI-based and safety related systems? Is it at all possible?
Speakers:
John Alexander McDermid, Professor, University of York UK, safety of AI
Tor Stokke, Simonsen Vogt Wiig, International and geopolitical
Sveinung Soma, REMOTA, Human factor and cooperation
Erik Røsæg, Professor UiO, EU AI Act and other legal implications
Frank Børre Pedersen, Director Martime programme, Group R&D, DNV
