Harnessing AI in Shipping: Building Capabilities for Success

As AI technologies become increasingly accessible, the real challenge for shipping companies lies in effectively integrating these tools into their operations. Michalis Gkontas, co-founder and CEO of AskChief, emphasizes that deploying AI isn't just about access; it's about creating specialized systems that enhance team performance and operational compliance.

Understanding AI's Potential

Today's AI applications are capable of a range of tasks, from processing large datasets to assisting in complex decision-making. However, the pivotal question remains whether organizations are prepared to deploy these tools effectively.

Although providing general AI access is straightforward, leveraging that access to improve technical tasks and compliance is where management must focus their resources. Leaders need to define the role of AI in their operations, understanding what knowledge it utilizes and maintaining professional accountability.

The Gap Between Access and Capability

With enhanced connectivity, crew members often have access to the same general AI tools as their shore-based colleagues. However, this can lead to situations where polished reports or responses lack clear validation, highlighting the risks associated with uninformed AI use.

Just because AI generates coherent text doesn’t mean the content is relevant or useful. Generic AI tools might produce information that doesn't reflect the specifics of a vessel's procedures or the current version of a company’s safety management system (SMS). Therefore, it’s crucial for teams to validate and contextualize AI-generated content, ensuring it meets operational needs.

Focusing AI Implementation on Core Tasks

Rather than merely instructing teams to “use AI more,” organizations should anchor their AI initiatives around recurring tasks they already comprehend. These could include tackling technical problems, preparing for inspections, or evaluating the impact of new regulations.

Selecting tasks that are significant yet manageable provides a foundational approach. When teams begin to see AI as a supportive tool within familiar workflows, it becomes easier to expand its use across the organization.

Enhancing Decision-Making with AI

AI excels at sourcing relevant information, building contextual awareness, and drafting preliminary documents. However, human experts should still interpret data, assess its relevance, and make final decisions. AI should enhance, not replace, professional judgment.

Implementing the 10-80-10 principle can help streamline this process. The initial 10% involves an expert defining the issue and establishing desired outcomes. The AI handles the bulk of the work in the middle 80%, and then the final 10% allocates time for an expert to review and correct the output.

Encouraging Team-Wide Adoption of AI

For successful AI integration, leaders must establish clear expectations, assign ownership, and create mechanisms for feedback. Teams should feel empowered to share effective uses of AI while also flagging subpar outputs.

In the shipping industry, a cautious approach is often necessary. Misleading AI outputs can lead to risks, so trust must be built over time. Users should have visibility into the threads of evidence supporting AI outputs, understanding the limitations while maintaining their professional judgment.

Measuring Success Beyond Usage Metrics

Rather than simply tracking logins or prompts, organizations should assess whether teams achieve better outcomes more efficiently. Metrics should focus on outcomes like time to completion, the relevance of historical data used, and the quality of decision-making documented for future reference.

As AI capabilities continue to evolve, access alone won't provide a competitive edge. The key differentiator will be how effectively shipping companies integrate these technologies into their practices and workflows. This strategic deployment allows firms to enhance their teams’ abilities without compromising accountability.

Shipping companies that excel in this endeavor will not merely see more employees engaging with AI; they will foster stronger teams equipped with deeper knowledge and the capacity to act decisively.