The impact of digitalization on shipbuilding as measured by Artificial Intelligence (AI) maturity models: a systematic review

Volume 10, Issue 3, Page No 15-20, 2025

Author’s Name: Dharmender Salian ^{1 *}, Geeta Sandeep Nadella ¹, Gasan Elkhodari ², Rabih Neouchi ², Steven Brown ¹, Eduard Babulak ³, Raed Sbeit ¹

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¹ University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, KY 40769, USA
² Naveen Jindal School of Management Business School, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
³ National Science Foundation, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA

^a)whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: htaguchi68@gmail.com

Adv. Sci. Technol. Eng. Syst. J. 10(3), 15-20 (2025); DOI: 10.25046/aj100303

Keywords: Digitalization, Shipping, Transformation, Technologies, Maturity

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Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global shipbuilding sector, yet existing maturity models fail to capture the domain-specific complexities of this capital-intensive industry. This study reviews over 50 AI maturity models and introduces a specialized framework tailored for shipbuilding. The proposed model outlines four progressive stages—Beginner, Innovation, Integration, and Expert—across eight key dimensions: culture, resilience, sustainability, strategy, customer focus, organizational integration, connectivity, and production efficiency. A hybrid benchmarking approach involving comparative analysis of major shipbuilders such as China State Shipbuilding Corporation(CSSC), General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company(NASSCO), and Hyundai Heavy Industries(HHI), as well as synthesis from literature, was used to validate the relevance and coverage of each dimension. The framework provides a roadmap for operational modernization and links digital maturity to measurable outcomes such as delivery timelines, production scalability, and environmental performance. Policy recommendations highlight the need for targeted investments, workforce reskilling, and public-private collaboration to enable sustainable and AI-enabled growth in the U.S. shipbuilding sector.

Received: 02 February 2025 Revised: 17 April 2025 Accepted: 18 April 2025 Online: 22 May 2025

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The impact of digitalization on shipbuilding as measured by Artificial Intelligence (AI) maturity models: a systematic review