AI for the Oceans Award

Award Winner HUB Ocean

Congratulations to Tom Redd and his HUB Ocean team! HUB Ocean won the AI for the Oceans Award at the SMM 2024 Open Stage.

Award Finalists

We are thrilled to announce the three finalists for the prestigious AI for the Oceans Award. Selected from over 70 applicants in 36 countries, these innovative projects use AI to enhance ocean health.

blueOASIS

By using HydroTWIN (HT), the first modern AI-based Underwater Acoustic Digital Twin, developed by blueOASIS, one can in a straightforward (small device of less than 8kg and 0.5m dimensions) and affordable manner (1/10 of the usual price of a similar non-smart traditional hydrophone system) monitor 24/7 the underwater soundscape. Since to "hear is to see" underwater, this permits to measure noise levels, perform real-time noise maps, identify and classify any moving object, identify and classify acoustic active species, thereby permitting any user to quantify the actual noise pollution, and their impact in our Oceans.

HUB Ocean

The new Global Ocean Treaty is a landmark development in the law of the sea. It calls for integrated approaches which consider cumulative impacts on the marine environment. This includes BBNJ (biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction) treaty obligatory environmental impact assessments where potentially harmful activities take place in the high seas, and the objective to designate at least 30% of the planet by 2030. So far, we are lacking a comprehensive tool for analysing such combined impacts from different human uses to the environment of the high seas, and where the most valuable areas are to set aside for marine protection. Ocean Symphony aims to fill this gap, providing a robust platform for transparent cumulative impact assessments, scenario-based analyses, and international data collaboration. The tool is a co-development directed to support the coming BBNJ secretariat and others to manage different uses of the oceans.

OceanOS

OceanOS, is a startup using AI for in-depth nature intelligence that stems from meticulous ground-truthing data collection. By analyzing extensive marine data, including environmental DNA and acoustic monitoring, Ocean OS provides stakeholders with critical insights for informed conservation strategies. The platform supports global environmental goals by promoting sustainable energy development and the conservation of underwater ecosystems. With a scalable and adaptable design, Ocean OS aims for international deployment, partnering with governments and environmental agencies to ensure the sustainable growth of renewable energy infrastructure.

The winner will be announced at the SMM in Hamburg, at the Open Stage Hall B2.UF on September 5, 2024 at 3.10 PM. The three finalists will pitch their ideas to the SMM audience so they will vote for their winner, too. The finalists will also present their ideas at the Oeiras Bluetech Ocean Forum in Lisbon, Portugal on October 16 and the AI.SUMMIT 2024 in Hamburg, Germany on December 5.

Shortlist Candidates

Another 7 candidates out of 70 stood out during the selection process. Learn more about these 7 shortlisted candidates here:

Amlaan RiverCorp

Every year, approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste end up in our oceans, contaminating the water and affecting marine life. The impacts of plastic pollution on our water bodies are catastrophic and can potentially disrupt the balance of entire ecosystems. Pollution is rising at an alarming rate, which calls for a need to keep pollution in check. Otherwise, we risk losing our most vital resource—water—without which survival is impossible. Our AI-powered computer vision will detect various types of waste in water bodies, enabling precise identification and collection of pollutants. This technology will allow our skimmer to navigate efficiently, ensuring optimal route planning and waste collection. Additionally, AI will assist in sorting and segregating different types of waste, crucial for our trash-to-cash model.

BioConsult SH

There is an ambitious global goal to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. However, at the moment, only 8.1% of the ocean is protected and over 80% of the ocean is still unexplored. We thus urgently need to collect data for evidence-based decision-making to help tackle the global climate and biodiversity crises and to support coastal communities. Therefore, BioConsult SH and HiDef Aerial Surveying Ltd developed the service SPACEWHALE: SPACEWHALE monitors whales from space using satellite imagery and AI. Using whales as key indicators for a high biodiversity, we can determine their number and distribution quickly and over wide areas, yet at similar costs to traditional survey methods. We teamed up a semi-automatic process to evaluate satellite images combining state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and marine mammal experts’ quality assurance.

EarthianAI

Earthian AI helps is focused to help the organisations to understand the scale and risks of ocean warming and acidification, and sea level rise. We do extensive high resolution satellite imaging, and offer 300% more environmental details with our AI technology, the highest in the market. Earthian AI's technology enables governmental agencies and financial institutes, e.g. banks, asset managers and insurance firms, to monitor the natural hazards, climate change threats, pollution and emissions, and projected losses up to 5 years ahead.

Ocean Currency Network

The world currently values the ocean and its services at $0. This must change to protect the “Superweapon Against Climate Change,” the ocean. OCN.ai tackles monitoring and understanding the ocean's health, complicated by fragmented data collection. Current methods serve narrow purposes, making valuable data inaccessible and limiting our understanding of marine ecosystems. They are also expensive, labor-intensive, and exclude non-specialists and local communities. OCN.ai addresses the lack of a comprehensive method to value the ocean, which hinders decision-making, limits sustainable growth, and restricts market opportunities for natural capital assets. Without this data, creating a nature-based economy is impossible.

PierSight Space

PlanBlue

The seafloor is crucial for addressing issues from climate change to food security through CO2 removal and resource management. Yet we lack detailed seafloor data to fully utilize its potential. Traditional methods are inadequate for large-scale data collection and processing. But policymakers need these data for informed management decisions (e.g., pollution regulation, coastal protection), to attract investments (e.g. cabling, offshore wind) and to scale blue carbon and biodiversity credit markets. PlanBlue has developed groundbreaking technology to create scalable health and biodiversity maps of the seafloor, integrating advanced imaging, geo positioning and AI for full automation. The result: highly detailed maps that provide concurrent data on biomass, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, health, pollution and materials.

Stream Ocean

Stream Ocean’s solution addresses the critical issue of insufficient and costly ocean data, which hampers the effective safeguarding and utilization of marine resources. After acquiring underwater video, Stream Ocean's AI-driven software automatically transforms video footage into data points, which are robust, science-based and already utilized in monitoring ocean health. Our solution delivers highlight footage and data metrics via a secure online dashboard, enabling stakeholders across various sectors, such as maritime construction, aquaculture, and conservation, to consistently and effectively monitor marine impacts.

We thank all applicants for their submissions and their tireless contribution to save our oceans.

Be Awarded 10,000 Euro for your AI for the Oceans Solution

72% of the earth is covered by the oceans: 4000m deep and mostly unknown.
The Oceans are our allies. They have taken 90% of global warming and 90% of global trade. But still they are polluted, overfished, under protected.
We are searching for the great ideas of inspiring startups or initiatives who use Artificial Intelligence as a crucial part of their technology or business.
Help us scale up AI solutions for the oceans and send this deck to the most promising startup supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14) for healthy oceans.

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Here is how the AI for the Oceans award works

Our team and the jury of highly reputed experts will give you feedback on your idea.
The long list and the three finalists will be presented on the SMM, the world’s No.1 event for the maritime industry with 40,000 visitors in September.
The three finalists can pitch their ideas directly following the Offshore Dialogue at SMM 2024 remotely or personally.
There will be 2 winners. Winner of the audience prize, and winner of the jury prize who takes home the trophy and the 10.000 €.

The jury’s winner also receives a campaign sponsored by the German Ocean Foundation on LinkedIn.
The three finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their concepts at the Oeiras Bluetech Ocean Forum in Lisbon, Portugal on October 16
The winner of the jury will be invited for a presentation at the AI.SUMMIT 2024 on December 5 to present the project to an expert audience

Once you submit the application form, you will receive a link to your application, where you can make adjustments, if necessary. Please make sure to make all changes by July 4, 2024. In entering this competition, you are agreeing to these Terms & Conditions. Find all information in the FAQs below.

Our jury of highly recognized experts in ocean, finance, and AI

Award sponsors

Supporting partners

Media Partner

Organizational Team

FAQs

Are there any charges?
No charges.
What about Travel expenses?
The entire application process is digital. You do not need to travel. If you consider it worth travelling to meet important experts, investors, multipliers, press etc. on the three events where we present the AI for the Oceans Award, than you have to bear and manage your own costs. The award organizers cannot cover travel expenses but will support the finalists with accommodation recommendation.
How many winners?
- One winner of the jury. This team wins the trophy, the 10,000 Euro and the campaign on LinkedIn
- Three winners of the audience prize:
  – at SMM,
  – at Oeiras Bluetech Ocean Forum in Lisbon, Portugal on October 16
  – at AI.Summit in Hamburg in December receive a certificate and can claim: Winner of the AI for the Oceans Audience Award on SMM 2024 in Hamburg.
Who can apply?
Any team with a legal structure, no single persons but all kind of startups, initiatives, NGOs etc.
We are using existing AI solutions, can we also participate?
Yes, if the AI solution is one of the key success factors for your project and provides strong value for your solution.
We will not be able to participate this year? Can we participate next year?
Yes, but the competition will be harder as more and more solutions will be AI-based next year 😉
What are the criteria for success?
Each jury member is free to make his/her own decision. They are asked to consider the following questions:
- Is the solution very helpful to improving the situation of the oceans?
- Do you think the solution/project provides innovative use of AI?
- Do you think the solution is scalable and the team can make it a success?
Can I contact the jury members directly?
We provided the LinkedIn profiles of our jury members. This way you can learn about their expertise and focus of each jury member. Do not contact them individually concerning this award. That would destroy transparency and fairness. Let the jury members do their work without trying to influence them.
When will we be informed about the results of our application?
The shortlisted teams will be informed first. At least 2 weeks before the first event at SMM, in early September. The other participating teams will be informed afterwards.
We do not have a business model or revenue plan yet but a great plan. Can we still apply?
Our mutual goal is to improve the situation of the oceans. If you have a solution without a necessary revenue plan, feel free to apply as well. If you want to earn money with your solution please at least give an idea about your estimated revenues.
We are not from Europe, can we participate as well? The oceans are globally connected and so are we. Please pitch your startup or your project with us. We welcome all projects from anywhere on this earth that can improve the situation of the oceans with the help of AI.
Will we meet investors during the events?
Some investors are present in the jury and can evaluate the economic assumptions you are making. Some investors are present at the events. Some will read the list of applications. A scheduled meeting session with investors is not planned.
How long can we use the icons that we are finalists or winner of the award?
You can use the award icons as finalist or winner as long as you want to. Please be so nice as to connect the icons with the award webpage.
How can we contact the organizing committee?
Use the connect button at the webpage or write to kai@pohlmanns.net