Revolutionising Ship Design with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Revolutionising Ship Design with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly through Machine Learning (ML), is transforming ship design providing a flexible new toolset that can allow us to think differently. These tools excel by expanding the depth and breadth of the design exploration process. By generating and evaluating hundreds of design variations overnight, they enable naval architects and engineers to explore a vast solution space, ultimately improving the quality and efficiency of ship designs. This capability enhances confidence in trade-off decisions, providing an invaluable resource for the complex optimisation involved in naval architecture.

Though such advancements may sound like science fiction, AI-driven solutions are already here, delivering practical benefits in real-world applications. According to the latest "AI in Design" paper by Jake Rigby, Head of Innovation & Research and Lee Hedd, Regional Sales Director - Americas both from BMT, various AI-driven approaches are being applied across different aspects of the ship design process. These include robotic process automation and neural networks for hull form design, as well as genetic algorithms for layout optimisation. These technologies demonstrate that AI is not just an abstract concept but a functional asset to ship design.

AI and ML tools are not intended to replace the expertise of naval architects. Instead, they should be seen as collaborative aids, enhancing human capability rather than substituting it. While ML can process vast amounts of information and quickly identify patterns, it lacks the nuanced judgment required to navigate the intricate trade-offs that define effective ship design. For example, deciding between competing priorities, such as structural weight and layout design, requires a level of human insight that no algorithm can fully replicate.

In this context, AI tools in ship design serve as accelerators for solving specific, well-defined problems within the design space. These tools amplify the capabilities of human designers, helping them achieve more thorough evaluations and enabling them to approach complex challenges from new angles. Ultimately, the role of AI and ML in ship design is collaborative, augmenting the designer’s expertise to enhance the design process without replacing the need for skilled human judgment.