Guest Lecture by Dr. Gu Hai:
Revolutionising Marine Technology through Artificial Intelligence
On 3 October 2025, students of the Master of Science in Maritime Technology and Management (MTM) programme had the privilege of attending a guest lecture by Dr. Gu Hai, Vice President, Technology – Pacific, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). His lecture, titled “Revolutionising Marine Technology through Artificial Intelligence”, shed light on how AI is shaping the present and future of the maritime industry.
🔎 Key Highlights from the Lecture
- AI and the Path to Net Zero 2050: Dr. Gu underscored the critical role of digitalisation and AI in supporting decarbonisation goals, energy transition, and sustainability across the shipping industry.
- AI Applications in Maritime: From vessel performance optimisation, predictive maintenance, and safety enhancement to autonomous shipping and vessel design, AI is increasingly embedded in operations and innovation.
- Building Trust in AI: A strong emphasis was placed on developing trustworthy AI through standardisation, verification and validation frameworks, and cybersecurity measures to ensure safety and reliability.
- The Role of Classification Societies: ABS’ central role in bridging innovation with regulation was highlighted, ensuring that emerging technologies are validated, safe, and effectively deployed within the industry.
💡 Final Reflections
Dr. Gu’s lecture not only showcased cutting-edge AI applications but also emphasised the importance of collaboration among regulators, shipowners, ports, equipment suppliers, and academia to realise a safe, efficient, and sustainable maritime future.
