Ships, interface facilities, and sea logistics systems are becoming increasingly reliant on digital equipment. Connectivity between boats, ports, and international transportation networks creates a difficult habitat where even a minor problem may have common consequences. While these solutions have increased efficiency and reduced operating costs, they have also increased chances for poor performers. Artificial intelligence ( AI ) is emerging as both a powerful ally and enemy in this respect – the features of AI that benefit the maritime world are the very same features that might exploit vulnerabilities.
Director and Head of Shipping
Processing huge amounts of data and real-time surveillance. AI techniques excel at processing vast amounts of data quickly in real time. On the one hand, by constantly monitoring network traffic and functional data, AI systems can quickly and more easily identify unconventional patterns or anomalies that may indicate a cyberattack in progress. On the other hand, this equal power might also be used by bad actors to quickly, accurately and speedily utilize digital systems, threatening vessel safety and navigation or manipulating important ship and shore functions.
AI’s capacity to assess these data streams may help identify previously unknown correlations, enhancing situational recognition for operators. For proactive steps can lead to better decision-making in critical situations, contributing to safer sea businesses. However, the emphasis on AI also raises concerns about its impact on human oversight, as over-reliance on automated systems may reduce essential human intelligence.
Forecast analysis. Artificial designs are trained on historic data. Based on this, AI is estimates possible security breaches before they occur. Maritime businesses can use this to apply pre-emptive measures and dedicate resources more effectively. However, if the information used to teach AI types is biased, inaccurate or incomplete, this could lead to wrong decision-making, possibly resulting in injuries. What happens if there is an unforeseen situation, which the AI is not trained on? This might potentially lead to catastrophic consequences.
As AI systems rely heavily on data quality, ensuring data integrity becomes paramount. Investment in data validation processes can improve the accuracy of predictive analytics. Such measures are vital to ensure operators have reliable insights for planning and preparing for potential threats, thus reinforcing overall maritime safety protocols.
Automated response, with no or little human intervention. In the event of a cyber incident, AI-driven automated response systems can execute pre-planned countermeasures instantly, isolating compromised systems and mitigating damage without waiting for human intervention. This rapid response minimises downtime and prevents the spread of malicious activity across interconnected systems. This automated response without obvious human intervention presents interesting and challenging ethical and regulatory questions about, among others, liability, jurisdiction and data privacy.
While automation can enhance efficiency, it can also lead to gaps in accountability. A challenge for the maritime industry is determining who is responsible when AI systems make decisions that result in negative outcomes. Legal frameworks may need to evolve to address these questions and ensure that human oversight remains a critical element in the decision-making process. Public trust in automated systems hinges significantly on transparent accountability structures being in place.
The convergence of AI and cybersecurity technologies offers unprecedented and exciting opportunities to safeguard the maritime operations against cyber threats. At the same time, the increasing sophistication of AI itself presents a cyber threat. Ultimately, it boils down to people fully understanding the strengths and weaknesses of AI and deploying it in a discerning manner. In this regard, it is us, humans, that are the most critical component in the successful integration of AI into maritime cybersecurity and indeed the maritime industry at large. AI will change the way decision-making processes and operations are performed. The maritime workforce must both reskill and upskill, to learn how to collaborate with AI. It will be challenging to foster trust between the human workforce and AI where AI is seen as supportive rather than a threat due to potential job displacement because of AI-automation.
To facilitate this transformation, organisations can invest in training programmes that not only focus on technical skills but also prioritise interpersonal skills. Workshops aimed at fostering co-operation and understanding between human operators and AI systems can help mitigate feelings of job insecurity, promoting a collaborative environment. This can help create a culture where AI is viewed as a tool for enhancement rather than a replacement.
We will need to be even more agile than ever before. Those with good IT-related skill sets and knowledge will no doubt find it easier to adapt and adopt AI integration in their job scope. At the same time, we must not lose sight of the continuing importance of soft skills. People will still have to communicate and engage with one another in teamwork. Cross-border and cross-cultural interactions and networks will be even more prevalent, as AI pushes the boundaries of what is possible.
Maureen Poh is a director and head of shipping at in Singapore.
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