Posted on 16th Oct 2025
Technology is rapidly transforming the offshore industry, reshaping how operations are planned, executed, and supported. But what does this actually mean for the people working on the front line?
We spoke with Ibrahim Ahmad Zamani, Senior Survey Engineer and LBL Specialist with nearly two decades of offshore experience, about how AI, automation, and digital tools are evolving in offshore work and what this means for the industry’s future.
In Ibrahim’s perspective, AI and automation are yet to establish their presence offshore fully, but the potential they hold is colossal.
Many survey and positioning tasks are still manual, from processing multibeam and USBL data to calibrating LBL and INS systems. AI could help accelerate these workflows, enhance positioning accuracy in difficult environments, and support automatic calibration, making operations safer and more efficient.
The same applies to ROV and AUV operations. Ibrahim believes that future AUVs will be able to perform more complex inspections independently. Meanwhile, ROVs will increasingly depend on AI to maintain their position, follow planned routes, and detect equipment issues early, thereby reducing downtime and enhancing reliability.
LBL calibration and metrology are also likely to undergo significant changes. Currently, these processes are entirely manual, but AI could automate much of the acoustic data checking, recommend optimal beacon placements, and process results more efficiently with greater accuracy.
“AI and automation could make offshore operations safer, faster, and more efficient,” Ibrahim explains, “but human expertise will always be crucial to manage and verify the results.”
Digital twins are virtual 3D models that mirror real assets and environments through live data, and they’re starting to play a bigger role in offshore operations.
Ibrahim highlights how software like Navipac has developed from 2D to 3D displays, providing shift supervisors and ROV pilots with a clearer view of operations before starting work subsea. This enhanced quality control during MBES surveys and certain installations helps teams make better decisions in real time.
Of course, new technology often presents problems. These 3D systems can still be buggy and require powerful hardware to operate smoothly, a feature not all offshore setups currently possess. However, the trend is clear: increased visibility, better planning, and enhanced safety.
Even as technology advances, Ibrahim emphasises that not everything should be automated, in his opinion.
Some tasks, such as deploying Compatts, changing batteries, or troubleshooting LBL equipment, require physical intervention and specialised experience. Therefore, while AI can act as a “third eye,” monitoring data and flagging anomalies, it cannot replace the decision-making and adaptability of experienced offshore teams.
Survey engineers and ROV pilots will continue to be crucial, especially during installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. In essence, technology is a tool, not a replacement for people.
Although AI has not yet transformed offshore recruitment, Ibrahim anticipates this will change as automation becomes more widely adopted. Currently, human involvement remains essential for QC, monitoring, and decision-making, but workers who develop their digital and data skills will be best positioned to adapt.
At Elevate Offshore, we see technology as an enabler—not a replacement—for human connection and expertise. While automation will streamline recruitment and data matching, the heart of our work remains personal—every contractor’s experience, career goals, and unique skill set matter. Our team continues to work directly with individuals to understand what drives them and to match them with projects where they can thrive. Digital tools can speed up the process, but it’s our people who make the right connections happen.
As the industry evolves, we’ll continue to blend smart technology with hands-on guidance, ensuring that every contractor feels supported, not just placed. This balance between innovation and personal understanding is what defines Elevate Offshore.
Future offshore and onshore teams will need to be confident in using advanced software, automation systems, and real-time data tools. Skills in data analytics, digital twins, and AI-assisted platforms will grow increasingly valuable alongside traditional hands-on expertise.
Training programmes are already adapting to this shift. Ibrahim has observed more modular online learning, virtual simulations, and advanced courses on survey technologies. Safety training remains fundamental, but there’s also a growing emphasis on cross-skilling, enabling contractors to undertake a broader range of responsibilities across survey, construction, and ROV operations.
One of the most significant changes Ibrahim has observed is the gradual shift of some roles from offshore to onshore.
Automation and remote systems enable many monitoring and control tasks to be managed from onshore operations centres. This results in cost savings and enhanced safety by decreasing offshore personnel and exposure to risk.
Contractors have mixed feelings about this change. Some welcome the improved work-life balance and safer working environments. Others are understandably concerned about job security or miss the strong camaraderie of offshore life. Many take a measured approach, recognising that the industry has always evolved and this is simply the next step.
When asked what advice he would give to newcomers, Ibrahim’s message is simple: stay adaptable and keep learning.
Master the fundamentals of offshore survey work while staying updated on new technologies. Be ready to work both offshore and onshore and develop both technical skills and soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. These will be just as valuable as the industry progresses.
By 2030, Ibrahim anticipates his role will involve less time offshore and more focus on supporting operations remotely, with AI and advanced ROVs managing more routine tasks. His experience will be vital in planning, quality control, troubleshooting, and guiding technology to complete the work safely and accurately.
Technology will continue to change the way we work, but good judgment, teamwork, and experience cannot be replaced. If you stay open to learning, you’ll always have a place in this industry.
At Elevate, we observe these changes happening daily and understand they present both opportunities and challenges. That’s why we’re dedicated to supporting contractors through every stage of their careers, whether that involves upskilling for new technologies, finding suitable offshore roles, or transitioning to onshore positions.
The offshore industry has continually evolved, but one thing remains unchanged: people are at its core.
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