10159268GenDSOM: Leveraging Generative AI for Next-Generation Vessel Design and ManufacturingClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKGenDSOM aims to radically transform the way vessels are designed, simulated, optimised, and manufactured by developing next-generation intelligent frameworks for the maritime industry. Central to this initiative is a "one-roof policy" that tightly integrates the design--simulation--optimisation--manufacturing loop from the earliest stages of vessel design. GenDSOM intends to accomplish this by leveraging both generative- and discriminative-AI---technologies that have demonstrated breakthroughs in various industries due to their capacity to capture intricate patterns across various data modalities. These methods have recently proven viable for vessel design and operational challenges through UK-developed solutions like NeuralShipper, which is recognised as the world's first generative-AI tool in this domain. Traditionally, deep learning is used to expedite physical simulations in maritime and broader engineering contexts. However, recent advancements in generative deep learning have enabled concept creation itself, exemplified by NeuralShipper's ability to propose innovative designs rather than merely accelerating simulations. However, commercial viability and scalability require meticulous attention to the entire design-to-manufacturing cycle, validated through holistic feasibility studies. Meeting the IMO's ambitious decarbonisation goals demands collaboration across all facets of design and operation. Short-term targets rely on operational improvements, given the aging global fleet. Long-term decarbonisation, however, hinges on replacing outdated vessels with new designs that integrate clean fuels, lightweight materials, and advanced operational solutions---ships that will dominate the seas long after today's fleet is retired. Traditional CAD tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Rhino) rely on predefined concepts. While emerging AI startups (e.g., PhysicsX, Monolith, Neural Concept) accelerate simulations, they are data-hungry and often cost-prohibitive for many maritime firms. Industry-specific tools like CADMATIC and CAESES generally enter the process only in more mature phases of design. By contrast, GenDSOM focuses on early-stage design, enabling rapid, cost-effective exploration of hundreds of novel concepts that are physics-informed, manufacturing-aware, and guided by domain experts to meet evolving regulatory, compliance, and environmental targets. Developing and refining AI-based solutions like GenDSOM, the maritime industry gains tangible benefits: accelerating decarbonisation across design and manufacturing while enhancing global competitiveness. GenDSOM represents a leap into a new era of vessel design, disrupting the traditional "design spiral" that has long dominated the maritime sector. Its integration with NeuralShipper will deliver a complete market-ready solution, aligning with the UK Prime Minister's AI Action Plan to solidify the nation's leadership in maritime innovation and smart manufacturing. This initiative not only harnesses AI's transformative potential but also ensures the UK remains a global hub for solving real-world challenges through cutting-edge technology.