Second MADE Workshop Explores Artificial Intelligence’s Role in the Maritime Industry

Description:

INNOVATION 4.0 BUILDING, NUS – In a bid to understand the evolving landscape of the maritime industry, the second MAritime Digital Efficiency (MADE) Workshop took place at the National University of Singapore’s Innovation 4.0 Building on Thursday, September 14, 2023. The event featured leading experts who discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) in the sector, allowing our students from the Master of Science (Maritime Technology & Management) [MSc (MTM)] programme to gain more insight into the industry.

Morning Session: Opening Insights

The morning session commenced with an overview of methodologies for analyzing disruptions in the maritime industry. It also included a summary of key takeaways from the first MADE Workshop and highlighted current research progress.

The keynote speech, delivered by Professor Henry Wai-chung Yeung from the National University of Singapore, delved into the topic of “Understanding Disruptions Through Global Production Networks and Global Value Chains.” Following that, Professor Photis Panayides of Cyprus University of Technology discussed “Navigating the Storm: Maritime Supply Chain Transport Disruptions and Resilience,” shedding light on the challenges and strategies in maritime logistics. Professor Justin Hastings, a Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute and Professor at the University of Sydney, explored “Maritime security and maritime disruptions.”

The morning session concluded with an overview of the MADE Research Programme, presented by Ms. Syahirah from the Centre for Maritime Studies.

Afternoon Session: The Role of Large Language Models

The afternoon session focused on the role of large language models, such as ChatGPT, in the maritime industry. This session aimed to provide a deeper understanding of how AI and human involvement intersect in emerging technologies.

The lineup of speakers offered diverse perspectives on the topic:

• Ms. Cheryl Chung, a Public Sector Futurist, discussed “Futures Thinking and Scenario Planning.”
• Mr. Laurence Liew, Director of AI Innovation at AI Singapore, explored “GenerativeAI: Hype vs Reality,” offering insights into the potential and limitations of generative AI for organizations.
• Mr. Chakib Abi Saab, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at Lloyd’s Register, examined “The Potential of ChatGPT in Revolutionizing the Maritime Industry.”
• Mr. Chinmoy Ghose, Managing Director at METIS (Singapore), highlighted “The Disruptive Role of ChatGPT and Large Language Models in the Maritime Sector.”

The afternoon session also featured presentations from Dr. Zhang Xiaocai of the A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, who spoke on “LLM for Connecting Maritime Artificial Intelligence (AI) Modeling for Maritime Innovation,” and Dr. Chen Tianyi from the National University of Singapore, discussing “Maritime risk assessment based on Large Language Model.”

Panel Discussion: Looking to the Future

The workshop culminated in a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Yao Chen, a Research Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore. The panelists included:

• Dr. Fu Xiuju, Maritime AI Research Programme Director at the A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing.
• Mr. Chakib Abi Saab, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at Lloyd’s Register.
• Mr. Anshit Malik, Data Science Lead, at RightShip.

The panel addressed the impact, challenges, and prospects of large language models and generative AI in the maritime industry.

The second MADE Workshop provided an invaluable platform for our students, experts and professionals to delve into the evolving landscape of the maritime sector, particularly focusing on the transformative role of AI and large language models. Students have mentioned that they were very satisfied that they got the chance to communicate with industry professionals and learn more about cutting-edge technology applied in the maritime industry. The insights shared during the event will undoubtedly shape the future of the maritime industry as well as provide more inspiration to our students as it continues to adapt to emerging technologies.

“I was satisfied with this workshop and found it beneficial for my understanding of maritime digitalization. I am likely to attend future events hosted by CMS. During the workshop, I was particularly interested in topics related to maritime digitalization. My biggest takeaway was becoming more familiar with this subject. As for networking opportunities, I am satisfied with the provided opportunities, which were effective in helping me address various questions. Overall, it was a valuable experience.”

Wu Xinran, Student of MSc Maritime Technology and Management programme

“I was highly satisfied with this workshop and would consider attending future events hosted by CMS. Among the topics covered during the workshop, I was particularly interested in the applications of CHATGPT in the maritime industry. My biggest takeaway from this workshop was gaining a deeper understanding of various maritime sectors, including maritime safety and security, and how generative AI is poised to revolutionize the maritime industry. I was satisfied with the networking opportunities presented at the conference, as they provided a valuable chance to interact with industry professionals and learn about cutting-edge technologies applied in the maritime sector.”

Zhang Liming, Student of MSc Maritime Technology and Management programme 

 

For more information on MAritime Digital Efficiency (MADE), please visit the link: MADE (nus.edu.sg)