The role of AI/ML in Operational Oceanography
We are entering an exciting new era of data-driven opportunity, where artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is delivering extraordinary advances in science and technology, with the potential to lead to some of the greatest developments in our history. The oceans are no exception, with emergent questions including:
- How can AI/ML be used in the design of new sensor networks, including adaptive sampling of autonomous vessels, and in the operation of observing systems?
- What are the key data management challenges, and what are the ways these technologies can most efficiently be utilised in analyses of observational datasets?
- How can AI/ML be used to augment (or even replace) traditional numerical modelling approaches, as well as in improving user decision-making from bespoke applications?
- What do these new opportunities mean for the future of operational oceanography?
The 2025 edition of of the Oceans of Knowledge conference series, on “The role of AI/ML in Operational Oceanography”, taking place at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton on October 8th, will explore these aspects; setting this critical future use of ocean-related AI/ML into the context of the associated scientific, technological, operational and ethical/data management challenges, and providing the forum to shape the discussion on the evolution of these opportunities