In this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris reflect on six years of Thetius, unpacking the role of luck, timing, and adaptability in building a sustainable maritime intelligence business. They trace Thetius’ evolution from a startup database of maritime innovators to a trusted research partner for shipowners, tech suppliers, and investors, with some acquisition success stories along the way.

The conversation then shifts to Orbit MI’s unexpected acquisition of stealth-mode AI startup Auqub, and what it signals about the arrival of agentic AI in maritime. Nick explains how the move resembles a Silicon Valley-style “acquihire” and suggests this may be the first clear play for AI agents capable of action, not just insight.

Next, they explore the concept of the superworker—a human-AI hybrid role evolving through four stages of automation. Drawing on Josh Bersin’s framework and new academic research, they discuss the creative lift AI can bring, the hidden risks of homogeneity, and the tension between productivity gains and organisational change.

Rounding out the episode, they swap AI coaching hacks, analogue oblique strategies, and some friendly disagreement over how politely one should speak to their GPT.