Lloyd’s Register Implements Generative AI to Fast-Track Nuclear Licensing

Lloyd’s Register has unveiled a pioneering initiative that sees the UK classification society embrace generative artificial intelligence to transform the nuclear licensing process within the maritime sector. 

In a strategic partnership with Microsoft, the organisation will deploy Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI service to streamline and improve vital regulatory processes. This system leverages decades of historical nuclear licensing data to automatically draft permitting documents, so that licensing engineers can work more efficiently. 

By rapidly sifting through vast regulatory datasets to identify precedents and applicable regulations, the AI capability aims to eliminate the typical delays that have long hindered the sector.

Lloyd’s Register expects that this approach will provide a faster and more cost-effective route through complex nuclear regulation, potentially accelerating the adoption of nuclear technology as a viable clean energy solution for maritime applications.

Mark Tipping, Global Offshore Power To X Director at Lloyd’s Register, explained:

“We have a large data source from decades of regulatory applications which these AI capabilities can interrogate swiftly to identify good practice and lessons learned. Collaborating with Microsoft provides us with an excellent opportunity to combine two very different areas of expertise, their AI capabilities and our vast history and knowledge of maritime and nuclear safety”. 

His remarks were echoed by Deputy Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Jeff Scott: 

“Regulations shouldn’t be a roadblock to innovation - they should be a launchpad. By teaming up with Microsoft, we’re using AI to cut through the red tape and fast-track the future of nuclear in maritime. It’s an exciting step toward making clean energy a reality on the water”.

Microsoft’s Darryl Willis, Corporate Vice President for the Energy & Resources industry, added: 

“This collaboration underscores our commitment to harnessing the power of AI to drive innovation and advance sustainability across sectors. By combining our AI expertise with Lloyd’s Register’s expertise in maritime and nuclear safety, we are paving the way to ease regulatory barriers and make sustainability more attainable for all industries”.

This latest move is part of a wider trend of big-tech and maritime collaborations. 

Recent ventures, such as the partnership between Microsoft and the Port of Singapore, and French shipping giant CMA CGM’s engagement with Google, show the increasing drive to integrate cutting-edge technologies into maritime operations.

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