How Groningen Seaports improved AI knowledge with a Demo at Lunch

Groningen Seaports is the port authority for Delfzijl and Eemshaven, overseeing both the ports themselves and the surrounding industrial zones. The organisation offers a comprehensive suite of services to commercial and industrial clients, including infrastructure management, logistics support, and site maintenance. Beyond operating two modern, strategically located ports, Groningen Seaports also manages several business clusters across the region. These include a chlorine-based chemical hub anchored by Nobian and its partners, as well as a growing energy-focused ecosystem in Eemshaven, home to major producers such as ENGIE, NorNed, Vattenfall, TenneT, and RWE. The area’s appeal to energy-intensive operations is further underscored by the presence of one of Europe’s largest data centres, developed by Google.

In an effort to broaden internal understanding of artificial intelligence, Groningen Seaports invited DataNorth to deliver a Lunch Demo to its employees. While the organisation had hosted similar sessions in the past, this particular demo stood out, not only as one of the most well-attended, but also as one that generated genuine enthusiasm.

Many attendees had limited prior exposure to AI, prompting a focus on responsible use, with special attention paid to the risks of sharing confidential data. The session struck a balance between inspiration and practicality, offering accessible insights into the capabilities and limitations of generative AI.

Employees quickly engaged with the material, sharing AI-generated visuals and exploring new tools. Though no immediate AI use cases were pursued following the session, the event sparked ongoing conversations around process optimisation and future opportunities for digital innovation.

What set DataNorth apart for Groningen Seaports was the structured yet flexible AI Roadmap, from inspiration to implementation. Rather than requiring a full journey, the roadmap allowed the team to engage at specific stages, aligning with their current needs and readiness level.

A key moment in the demo came when DataNorth showcased a tailored example: transforming Groningen Seaports’ annual report into a whole podcast. This concrete, relatable use case demonstrated the practical value of generative AI and left a lasting impression on the audience. It highlighted how content could be repurposed to better engage internal and external stakeholders alike.

Impact and Outlook

While still in the exploratory phase, Groningen Seaports has taken meaningful steps toward building AI awareness across the organisation. The session with DataNorth opened up new perspectives on how AI could support operational efficiency and communication efforts.

By prioritising accessibility, relevance, and responsible use, the demo laid a solid foundation for future innovation. Groningen Seaports continues to explore how AI might fit into their broader digital strategy, with a clear understanding that they can move forward at their own pace, supported by a partner who meets them where they are.