Hanwha Ocean Holds Discussion About Future AI Warships With Microsoft & Google

Hanwha Ocean collaborated with tech giants Microsoft and Google regarding future naval technologies, especially AI warships, in an event which it hosted on May 20, 2026.

Called the ‘4th Next-Generation Smart Naval Vessel Technology Forum’, it was organised at the Hanwha Building in Jung-gu, Seoul and was attended by 120 experts from the government departments, academia and even military and defence.

Kim Han-gyeol, a team leader at Microsoft, talked about the ways to monetise AI while maintaining trust and controllability.

He also discussed how projects could be completed before schedule by enhancing productivity using an agent-centric model.

Park Nam-ok, country representative of Google Cloud Korea, mentioned that sovereign AI that guarantees data sovereignty and physical AI that can interact with naval vessel systems will become major drivers of next-generation smart vessels.

Jung Ji-hoon, team leader at Hanwha Systems, presented a future naval ship concept which incorporates AI and uncrewed automation technologies, which will reduce the need for manpower.

At the third edition of the forum held in October 2025, Hanwha Ocean had revealed a next-generation surface vessel concept which had integrated maritime, aerial, space and cyber domains.

Eo Seong-cheol, president and head of Hanwha Ocean’s Special Ship Business Division, said the company will continue its research in this direction so that future naval ships can become organic systems with cutting-edge tech.