The Future of Ocean AI:
A Strategic Approach for Canada
The ocean sector in Canada faces unique challenges that demand innovative solutions. AI has the potential to address these challenges effectively, often achieving significant impacts with fewer resources. Recognizing this opportunity, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster has decided to explore the potential of AI further, developing this Strategic Approach.
The OSC is excited to share the Strategic Approach Insights Report in advance of the full report in January.
Ocean AI
Resources
Insights Report
Research
To develop this comprehensive plan, OSC conducted interviews with key stakeholders to gather insights on AI adoption, challenges, and successes. Combined with market research and a survey of 71 participants, these interviews provide a well-rounded understanding of AI’s role and potential in the ocean sector. This plan aims to promote the responsible adoption of AI to grow Canada’s ocean economy by demonstrating current AI applications, highlighting industry challenges, and offering future opportunities and recommendations. This comprehensive approach underscores AI’s transformative potential in the ocean sector.
After conducting 14 interviews with industry leaders, the OSC has identified four major obstacles that hinder the widespread integration of AI within the ocean sector:
The AI Knowledge Gap
Achieving Digital Maturity
Overcoming Data Utilization Barriers
Financial Strain
OSC Action
- The OSC has launched the Ocean AI Technology Foundations course to provide AI education in an ocean context to current ocean sector professionals.
- The OSC has launched a social media campaign titled Story to Tell that highlights current Ocean AI projects. This campaign demonstrates the potential of AI in the ocean sector, while providing examples of how ocean AI is already contributing to the growth of the sector.
- Through membership events and our members only Slack channel, the OSC is providing networking opportunities for ocean sector professionals to bring their ideas and projects together. This convening of ocean sector professionals fosters collaboration for enhanced innovation.
- Through our Ocean AI Calls for Proposals and our Projects and Programs, the OSC is enabling ocean sector SMEs to secure the funding necessary to advance their ocean AI projects.
OSC’s AI Projects
Commitment
By delving into AI’s impact, OSC promotes the integration of advanced technologies to enhance performance and sustainability. AI’s potential to address critical challenges, drive economic benefits, and support environmental conservation efforts is at the forefront of this initiative.
The identified strategic goals involve:
- Investing in skills development
- Enhancing data management
- Strengthening technology infrastructure
- Increasing investment
- Fostering collaboration
By implementing these strategic goals, the ocean sector can effectively overcome the barriers to AI adoption and harness the transformative potential of AI technologies.