AI Copilots and Knowledge Creation in Maritime Fishing Operations.

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming knowledge work and decision-making in organizations. In operational settings characterized by uncertainty and distributed expertise, practitioners must interpret multiple information sources, coordinate across roles and develop situational understanding before taking action. While existing research has examined AI in relation to automation, productivity and decision support, less attention has been given to how AI-enabled systems may contribute to organizational knowledge creation. This study explores how AI-enabled Copilot systems may support organizational knowledge creation, based on practitioner perspectives from the Fisk 4.0 research project in Norway. Fisk 4.0 is a six-year industry–academia collaboration focused on digitalization and automation in the deep-sea fishing fleet. The study adopts an interpretive case-based approach drawing on industry–academia workshops, semi-structured interviews and project documentation. Maritime fishing operations require captains, factory managers and fleet managers to interpret environmental conditions, fish distribution, onboard production capacity, regulatory constraints, fuel consumption and market demand. These interdependent factors create knowledge challenges that require continuous interpretation, coordination and learning across roles. The study does not examine an implemented AI system, but develops a conceptual understanding grounded in practitioner reflections on current challenges and potential digital decision-support solutions. Building on organizational knowledge creation theory, the paper develops a conceptual model illustrating how AI-enabled Copilot systems may support knowledge creation in this setting. The model positions the Copilot as a digital platform that may support forms of systemising and exercising Ba, while also acting as a knowledge co-worker that provides analytical input to human decision-makers. The analysis suggests that Copilot systems may help integrate distributed data, make operational patterns more visible and support shared situational understanding among practitioners. The study contributes to knowledge management research by refining how AI-enabled systems can be understood in relation to SECI processes, Ba and human–AI collaboration in knowledge-intensive operational work. It also offers a basis for future pilot studies of Copilot use in maritime operations.