Page 8: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2024)

Training Tips for Ships

Tip #58

Copyright Slowlifetrader/AdobeStock

AI to Maritime Trainers: “Watch Your Back”

By Murray Goldberg, CEO, Marine Learning Systems ast week’s headline in the Financial Times was star- more insight than we can. This could help to produce better and tling to me: “Andreessen Horowitz raises $7.2bn more consistent training outcomes. AI-driven programs can run and sets sights on AI start-ups.” Oh boy. Andrees- 24/7 without the need for breaks or downtime, providing train-

Lsen Horowitz is one of Silicon Valley’s most promi- ing opportunities that are not limited by human constraints. nent venture capital ? rms with an eye for investing in the next Consider an AI-driven virtual training module that is de- generation of tech companies that will change our lives. Their signed to teach navigational skills. Trainees log into a cloud- new fund tells us that the people who know the science of AI based training system that operates 24/7. The system presents now believe it is poised to make an outsized global impact. AI interactive scenarios based on real-world data, such as navi- is no longer a “tomorrow” thing. It is a “today” thing. And it gating through busy shipping lanes or poor weather condi- may not be long until we start to ? nd out who is correct - those tions. The AI assesses each trainee’s decision in real time and who fear it, or those who welcome it. provides immediate, detailed feedback. If mistakes are made,

Clearly the impacts, both good and bad, will touch every the AI system automatically generates additional relevant sce- part of our lives. But since we are a community of maritime narios until the trainee demonstrates pro? ciency, ensuring a trainers, let’s explore one very narrow but interesting question consistent level of competency across all trainees. All, by the about the possible impact of AI. way, in the native language of the trainee.

Will AI replace us as maritime trainers? Or will it just help This highlights a point that speaks to the heart of the po- to make us more effective and more ef? cient? tential for AI to replace trainers. AI technologies, particu-

Well, it is a good question and there are some fairly cred- larly machine learning algorithms, can continuously adapt ible arguments on both sides of the debate. While the topic is the training they deliver based on real-time performance data enormous and we can only touch on a sliver of it here, let’s from the trainee - whether that data is gathered during training dive right in to the heart of the argument. or on the job. This level of training customization for each individual will easily exceed what is feasible in human-led “AI will replace trainers” sessions where trainers might struggle to provide personalized

Central to the “AI will replace trainers” argument is that AI attention to each member of a group. Essentially, every train- can process and analyze vast amounts of data much faster than ee would now have available to him or her a fully dedicated, we humans do, and in many ways, it is already doing so with 24/7, expert trainer who is deeply aware of their trainee’s ca- 8 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • May 2024

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