Lloyd’s Register (LR), a UK-based classification society, has partnered with Microsoft to utilize generative AI in enhancing the integration of nuclear technology within the maritime industry. This collaboration aims to streamline the regulatory processes surrounding nuclear applications in maritime settings, marking a significant step toward merging terrestrial and maritime nuclear capabilities.
The partnership will harness Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the licensing process for nuclear technology. By analyzing extensive historical nuclear licensing data, the AI-powered platform enables quicker generation of essential permitting documents. This system helps licensing engineers draft and refine documents more effectively, expediting the approval process.
Furthermore, the AI can rapidly navigate through large volumes of regulatory information, helping users identify relevant regulations, precedents, and other critical data points. Mark Tipping, LR’s Global Offshore Power-to-X Director, emphasized the power of AI to process decades of regulatory applications. He stated, “We have a vast database of regulatory history that the AI can quickly analyze to highlight best practices and lessons learned. Together, we are addressing one of the most significant challenges in deploying nuclear technology—overcoming slow, complex, and costly licensing processes.”
The successful deployment of nuclear technology in maritime applications is seen as crucial for establishing nuclear power as a clean and reliable energy source, according to LR. By incorporating AI into the regulatory landscape, this collaboration is expected to remove existing barriers and unlock new possibilities for using nuclear energy in offshore energy systems, floating nuclear power plants, and ship propulsion technologies.
Darryl Willis, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President for Energy and Resources, noted, “This partnership reflects our commitment to using AI to drive innovation and sustainability across industries. By combining our expertise in AI with Lloyd’s Register’s leadership in maritime and nuclear safety, we are paving the way for a future where regulatory hurdles are reduced, making sustainability achievable across sectors.”
Earlier this week, Corvus Energy’s Dolphin NxtGen marine battery system received Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, demonstrating compliance with industry safety and regulatory standards. This move further underscores LR’s role in advancing cutting-edge technologies in the maritime sector.
