The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
AI can play transformative role in offshore industries
The benefits and drawbacks artificial intelligence (AI) may bring to workplaces around the world have increasingly been in the headlines.
Fears have been expressed of job losses, but there are also expected to be fresh work opportunities created.
One way of using AI to help businesses is through the use of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) where academic knowledge can be used to the benefit of companies.
KTPs often deliver significant increased profitability for business partners as a direct result of improved quality and operations, increased sales and access to new markets.
Robert Gordon University (RGU) computing school professor Eyad Elyan worked with Aberdeenbased Aisus Offshore to integrate AI into its maintenance operations in the North Sea.
Prof Elyan is a leading proponent of the power and success of KTPs, as well as an expert in machine learning and AI.
His expertise is highly valued by students at RGU, as well as by companies looking to digitise their operations.
He was named academic of the year at the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards 2023 for his role in helping Aisus to develop new inspection services and expand into new markets.
He told The Press and Journal AI would have a transformative impact on the way offshore installations are inspected.
There are no limits on the kinds of opportunities this technology can bring, he said.
He added: “Currently, the sector collects video footage of pipelines and other offshore assets under the North Sea using remote-operated vehicles.
“This video footage is then sent to inspectors who check it for corrosion and other types of defects.
“This involves many engineers, but by using AI you can use the new technology to automate the process.
“AI can be used to take these images and collect long hours of video footage which is then fed into an AI algorithm that tells you instantly if there is a defect or corrosion.”
The initial two-year project with Aisus finished last summer, but the company is keen to work with Prof Elyan again.
Their collaboration is expected to deliver an AI-driven immersive inspection platform for energy sector infrastructure.
It will also use virtual reality – aimed at enhancing efficiency, accuracy and predictive maintenance capabilities.
But what about the wider debate on the impact of AI on the world of work and business?
Prof Elyan believes there are sure to be opportunities coming from the technology as it further embeds itself into our lives in years to come.
He added: More jobs will emerge in other fields and disciplines as AI technology is rolled out, and there is no limit to the number of opportunities it can create.
“Yes, there might be some jobs that will or are already disappearing, such as office jobs like technical writing, translation or communications.
“But other jobs are still very safe in sectors such as healthcare, labour, construction and maintenance.
“We need to adapt our practices and education based on that. Whilst it is a lot more autonomous, it is also another innovation field. We just need to adapt so we can realise AI’s potential.”