Adaptive instructional systems (AISs) refer to educational interventions designed to accommodate individual learner differences. These systems employ various approaches, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data analytics, to analyze student performance and personalize the learning experience. This article presents a review of the current state-of-the-art of AI methods used in the development of AISs for maritime safety training. The main objective of this systematic literature review is to determine the use of AI/ML techniques in AIS and how they can contribute to the development of AIS for maritime education and training (MET) applications in addressing small data problems. Answering the research questions of the review identifies the fundamental purposes of using AI/ML techniques in developing AIS for MET. Further, the review highlights several crucial research areas, including AI techniques for modelling student and instructor knowledge, as well as ML algorithms for predicting student performance in situations with limited datasets.

The digital transformation of the offshore and maritime industries will present new safety challenges due to the rapid change in technology and underlying gaps in domain knowledge, substantially affecting maritime operations. To help anticipate and address issues that may arise in the move to autonomous maritime operations, this research applies a human-centered approach to developing decision support technology, specifically in the context of ice management operations. New technologies, such as training simulators and onboard decision support systems, present opportunities to close the gaps in competence and proficiency. Training simulators, for example, are useful platforms as human behaviour laboratories to capture expert knowledge and test training interventions. The information gathered from simulators can be integrated into a decision support system to provide seafarers with onboard guidance in real time. The purpose of this research is two-fold: (1) to capture knowledge held by expert seafarers, and (2) transform this expert knowledge into a database for the development of a decision support technology. This paper demonstrates the use of semi-structured interviews and bridge simulator exercises as a means to capture seafarer experience and best operating practices for offshore ice management. A case-based reasoning (CBR) model is used to translate the results of the knowledge capture exercises into an early-stage ice management decision support system. This paper will describe the methods used and insights gained from translating the interview data and expert performance from the bridge simulator into a case base that can be referenced by the CBR model.