DNV, the independent assurance and risk management provider, has appointed Rob van der Spek as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation Manager for its Industrial Services business unit, a newly created role focused on accelerating the practical use of AI, digital tools and innovation across inspection and assurance services.
The appointment reflects growing customer demand for faster, smarter and more efficient inspection and assurance, while supporting DNV’s ambition to use data and technology to create greater value across the asset lifecycle.
The shift is already visible in the market. A 2025 DNV survey of 1,160 companies across Europe, North America, Central and South America and Asia found that 60% intend to use AI-driven applications in their operations in the next year, up from 47% in 2024.
Rob brings extensive experience with DNV, including previous responsibility as Digital Innovation Lead. In his new role, he will help identify and scale practical AI and digital solutions across the business and in client projects.
The new role forms part of Industrial Services’ strategy to modernize internal processes and strengthen customer delivery. Priorities include automating routine manual tasks, improving the use of inspection data, and generating insights that support productivity, efficiency and inspection quality as industrial projects become larger and more complex.
Industrial Services at DNV works across the full asset and infrastructure lifecycle from fabrication and construction through to operations and in-service performance, supporting sectors including energy, renewables, power transmission, hydrogen, carbon capture, rail and industrial manufacturing. Launched earlier this year, the inspection business now operates as a global provider of quality assurance and inspection services for energy, infrastructure and complex industrial supply chains.
Rob van der Spek, AI and Innovation Manager, Industrial Services at DNV
Rob van der Spek, AI and Innovation Manager, Industrial Services at DNV, said: “AI is at its most powerful when it is used to solve real customer problems. For us, that means better planning, faster reporting, smarter use of inspection data and more actionable insight for customers.
“My focus in this new role will be practical: using AI to strengthen our services, not replace the expertise and judgement of our people. Trust, safety and human oversight will remain central to our inspection and assurance activities as we bring our teams along on this journey.”
Van der Spek will develop a roadmap for scaling AI and innovation across regions and service lines. Focus areas include productivity, digital inspection, managed assurance, inspection intelligence and new digital offerings for customers. He will also support the responsible use of AI in industrial settings, where trust, governance and human oversight are increasingly important to safety and performance.
“This appointment reflects our commitment to shaping the future of Industrial Services,” said Mohamed Houari, CEO, Industrial Services at DNV. “Digital, data and AI are becoming central to how value is created for our customers. Rob’s appointment is not only about bringing strong leadership to an important area, it is also a clear signal of our intention to further accelerate, coordinate and scale our investments in AI across the business. By bringing greater structure to the many initiatives already underway, we will strengthen innovation, enhance customer outcomes, and position Industrial Services for long-term growth.”