Navigating the stormy waters of autonomous systems in maritime

The maritime industry is rapidly evolving thanks to recent developments in technology, including decarbonisation and autonomous capabilities. These changes could completely transform the way the maritime sector operates, improving operational performance and raising standards, but introducing new risks that we need to understand and manage. Autonomy typically depends on artificial intelligence (AI); however, regulations for AI are still in their infancy, and few guidelines exist for the maritime sector. Here, John McDermid, Director of the Centre for Assuring Autonomy, discusses the importance of championing a responsible, safe, and ethical approach to deployment of AI and autonomous systems in the maritime sector.