Fincantieri and Accenture Launch Fincantieri Ingenium

Posted on 12 April, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Fincantieri and Accenture have signed an agreement to establish Fincantieri Ingenium, a joint venture focused on accelerating digital transformation in the cruise, defense and port infrastructure sectors.

Fincantieri NexTech, a subsidiary of Fincantieri Group, will own 70 percent of the venture, with Accenture holding 30 percent.

This initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2024 and combines Fincantieri’s expertise in the naval sector with Accenture’s advanced digital capabilities, including digital engineering and manufacturing.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and general manager of Fincantieri, said: “With Fincantieri Ingenium, we strengthen our leadership position in technological innovation applied to shipbuilding and the naval engineering industry. This joint venture represents a strategic step forward in accelerating the digitalization of the sector, leveraging artificial intelligence and the most advanced technologies. Thanks to the synergy with Accenture, we will develop cutting-edge solutions that will make our ships and infrastructures increasingly connected, efficient and sustainable, consolidating Fincantieri’s role as a global leader in the sector.”

Fincantieri Ingenium’s first strategic initiative is the development of Navis Sapiens, a digital ecosystem for next-generation ships and fleet upgrades.

The project focuses on three key areas: a portfolio of application services to optimize ship and infrastructure management, a digital platform offering AI-driven functionalities with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity, and a marketplace for exchanging solutions to create new business models in the maritime ecosystem.

The first vessel fitted with Navis Sapiens is expected to launch by the end of 2025. The joint venture will also enhance real-time data exchange and connectivity between ships and onshore systems, including ports and shipyards, through a sea-to-shore interoperability solution.

Fincantieri Ingenium will focus on sustainability in all initiatives. The systems will be designed to reduce environmental impact by leveraging data-driven energy optimization, helping shipowners lower fuel consumption.

Teodoro Lio, MU lead for ICEG and CEO of Accenture Italy, said: “We are excited about this joint venture with Fincantieri, which marks a significant step forward in maritime innovation and is a tangible example of collaboration between two organizations committed to transforming the market and creating new value. With Fincantieri Ingenium, we combine our strengths to shape new operating models that will transform maritime operations through innovative technologies.”

MXP Chatbot: Accurate Answers Powered by Cruise-Specific Data

Posted on 5 April, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

MXP has introduced the MXP self-service chatbot, an AI-powered smart digital assistant designed to elevate the guest experience, streamline onboard operations and open opportunities to increase revenue.

Aneta Ivanovska, director of artificial intelligence at MXP, said: “With the MXP Chatbot, we’re making guest communication more efficient, personal and accessible. By enabling instant bookings and accurate, real-time support, it significantly enhances the guest experience while unlocking new opportunities to drive onboard revenue.”

The company said in a statement that, unlike chatbots that are limited to static Q&A logic, the MXP Chatbot delivers answers based on cruise data, and it allows guests to book restaurants, spa treatments and excursions timeously.

The chatbot is powered by advanced AI and state-of-the-art large language models and is available 24/7. It enables interactions in any language without requiring translation tools or localized content, the statement said.

The company added that the chatbot understands what guests are asking and responds accordingly, regardless of phrasing, topic, or language.

Cruise-specific data is structured separately for each cruise, exported in a format optimized for conversational use and is frequently updated.

This approach ensures highly relevant answers and significantly reduces the risk of hallucinations, a known issue with generative AI models and chatbots, MXP said.

The company added that its ability to move beyond simple dialogue sets the solution apart. Because it actively supports bookings for onboard services, it eliminates the need for guests to queue or wait for crew availability.

According to the statement, the chatbot is a scalable solution for cruise lines due to frequent data updates, which keep it up to date. Its knowledge base can also be expanded with additional data.

MSC Cruises: Building New Technologies and Features

Posted on 6 May, 2024 by Spacejunkie2

To introduce new technologies to ships, the cruise industry needs to simplify access for guests as much as possible, said Francesco Pugliese, vice president of mobile and onboard digital technology at MSC Cruises.

While new developments pile up ashore, cruise lines need to be careful in the way they are implemented onboard, he said.

“We call it ‘keep it simple,’ which means simplifying access as much as possible for our guests. You need to consider all the scenarios and make sure they have a smooth experience,” Pugliese said, mentioning MSC Cruises’ MSC for Me mobile app.

While some guests will embark with the app installed on their phones, others will download it onboard, which can lead to different experiences.

“So, you need to ensure there’s always a smooth path but, of course, not forgetting the cybersecurity issues and challenges that we have,” Pugliese added.

The digital ecosystem onboard also needs to focus on the features that the guests are looking for, he said.

In addition to training crew to help passengers deal with the new technologies, cruise lines also need to ensure that they are communicating with guests in the right way, Pugliese said.

“It’s very important. That’s why we work in close collaboration with our marketing colleagues to explain to the guests, for instance, that the app is for free, which is something that they don’t always realize.”

Pugliese also said that, with new features on ships, the vessels are becoming one of the reasons why guests choose to embark on a specific sailing.

“They are not selecting their cruise based on itinerary anymore, they want to focus on the attractions and experiences that a ship can offer,” he explained.

“That’s why we developed a series of concepts that we implemented on our new ships, which are basically immersive,” Pugliese continued.

One of the new attractions is Starship Club, which is a bar that features a robot bartender who can make cocktails and entertain guests.

The venue was introduced onboard the MSC Virtuosa in 2021 and was later rolled out to other new buildings.

“You order your drink on a list of pre-defined cocktails and, while you wait for it to be prepared by the robotic bartender, you get immersed in a kind of experience that brings you to outer space,” Pugliese explained.

Pugliese highlighted the uniqueness of the cruise industry, which allows cruise lines to collect more data than other companies.

“We start collecting data from the very beginning when passengers purchase their cruise and want to personalize it. Once they get onboard, they usually stay seven days with us, so this means you can collect a huge amount of data,” he explained.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help in the process of understanding and analyzing this information, Pugliese added.