AI and the Engineering of Uncertainty
Calum Maclean, Projects Director, Marine Technical Limits
Integrity engineering has never been about eliminating uncertainty. It is about understanding uncertainty well enough to make sound decisions that keep assets operating and people safe.
Calum MacLean, Projects Director at Marine Technical Limits, explores this challenge through the management and inspection of Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels. Uncertainty can arise from inspection data, build quality, operating conditions, environmental loads, engineering analysis and the objectives set for the asset.
The presentation considers how engineers make decisions when areas cannot be accessed and reliable inspection history is unavailable. It highlights the importance of recording defects, completed inspections and unfinished tasks while avoiding unnecessary or low-quality data that distracts from meaningful evidence.
Drawing on MTL’s experience, Calum explains how AI can analyse information and identify connections beyond what may be possible through manual review alone. However, AI cannot create certainty where data, context or understanding are missing, and confidently presented results should still be questioned.
Explore the full presentation below to discover how engineering judgement, reliable information and AI can work together to manage uncertainty without compromising safety or trust.
