INNO2MARE Innovation Breakfast #6 was successfully held on 30 September 2026, bringing together researchers, innovators, industry representatives, and project partners to discuss one of the most pressing topics in digital transformation: the security and trustworthiness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in maritime applications.
The event was opened by dr. Marko Šimic, who emphasized the growing importance of understanding both the opportunities and risks associated with AI technologies as they become increasingly integrated into critical maritime systems and autonomous vessels
The guest speaker, Prof. Sanda Martinčić-Ipšić, Full Professor at the Faculty of Informatics and Digital Technologies, University of Rijeka, delivered a presentation entitled “The Alignment Gap at Sea: What Large Language Model Security Tells Us About Securing AI-Enabled Vessels.”
During her lecture, Professor Martinčić-Ipšić provided an overview of the security, privacy, and governance challenges associated with Large Language Models (LLMs). She highlighted emerging risks such as prompt injection, data poisoning, hallucinations, privacy breaches, and AI-enabled cyberattacks, explaining why traditional cybersecurity approaches are often insufficient when dealing with AI systems.
Particular attention was given to the maritime sector, where AI-driven technologies are increasingly being adopted. Through real-world examples, the presentation illustrated how AI-assisted attacks can accelerate cyber threats, enable sophisticated fraud schemes, manipulate navigation systems through signal spoofing, and expose vulnerabilities across digital supply chains. At the same time, the speaker stressed the importance of responsible AI deployment, robust governance frameworks, and maintaining human oversight in critical decision-making processes.
The session concluded with an engaging discussion involving participants from academia and industry. Topics included practical applications of LLMs in maritime operations, methods for mitigating AI-related risks, the importance of AI literacy and user training, and the future role of specialized AI models across different sectors. Participants agreed that while AI offers significant opportunities for innovation and efficiency, awareness, education, and continuous learning will be essential to ensure its safe and responsible use.
The INNO2MARE Innovation Breakfast series continues to serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, supporting innovation and digital transformation within the blue economy and maritime sectors.
If you would like to learn more about the topics discussed during the Innovation Breakfast, we invite you to watch the event recording.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLaCjKWzr68