AI vs Traditional Methods: Which Approach Will Define the Future of Naval Ship Design?

Translation resultHanwha Ocean (042660) brought together experts from Microsoft, Google and other big tech firms to accelerate its AI-driven warship technology.On May 19, the company hosted the “4th Next-Generation Smart Warship Technology Study Group” at the Hanwha Building in Jung‑gu, Seoul. The meeting gathered roughly 120 attendees — including Shim Seung‑bae, chair of the Defense and Security subcommittee of the Presidential Committee on National AI Strategy — along with military officials, academics and defense industry representatives. Participants exchanged views on smart-ship systems and the future direction of maritime defense R&D.Speakers laid out a range of AI- and data-driven approaches intended to overhaul ship design, operations, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) systems. Kim Han‑gyeol, a Microsoft team lead and expert on AI and cloud transition strategies, framed the central question as how organizations should trust, control and monetize AI to transform smart ships and MRO. He argued that an “agent”-centered infrastructure — shifting beyond simple tools to company-standard agents — is driving a productivity revolution.Park Nam‑ok, CEO of Google Cloud Korea, described a digital transformation for next‑generation smart warships built on “sovereign AI” to guarantee data sovereignty and on “physical AI” that directly interfaces with a ship’s systems. She also emphasized the need for a robust security blueprint to accompany adoption of advanced AI capabilities.Noh Myung‑il, a professor in Seoul National University’s Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering and a leading domestic expert on AI-based computational design and simulation, demonstrated how AI is reshaping each stage of ship design. Noh urged the sector to embrace new technologies rather than remain wedded to traditional methods and recommended sustained industry‑academia‑research collaboration to refine capabilities.Jung Ji‑hoon, a team lead at Hanwha Systems, presented a concept for an “AI-driven, manpower‑reducing smart battleship,” showing how advanced AI and unmanned automation could change ship operations and support a navy’s innovation strategy amid demographic challenges.Eo Seong‑cheol, president and head of Hanwha Ocean’s Special Ships Business Unit, pledged: “We will continue vigorous R&D so our vessels can become strategic assets that lead the global maritime defense paradigm.”