Canada’s Ocean Supercluster has announced its newest project: Building Bridges. The project aims to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the ocean sector through collaboration among four national academic and non-profit partners across Canada.
Building Bridges is being led by Dalhousie University, in partnership with the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS) and its regional associations: St. Lawrence Global Observatory, the Hakai Institute (a division of the Tula Foundation), and Ocean Networks Canada (a University of Victoria initiative). The project focuses on equipping organizations in the ocean sector with the tools and knowledge needed to implement AI solutions effectively. Leveraging the expertise of the CIOOS regional associations, Building Bridges lowers the adoption barrier by addressing multiple components of the AI pipeline including:
- Developing new AI tools and products to assist with data management,
- Creating new products for data quality and AI-suitable data streams,
- Extending AI curricula in the ocean sector to enhance understanding and knowledge,
- Engaging with academic and non-profit organizations to identify AI opportunities and facilitate access to AI-ready open data.
The project will implement a strategy for AI readiness and advance the management and application of data to AI, with target areas identified through academic review and community engagement. CIOOS, a leader in open ocean data, will pioneer open-source AI applications for data management and support ocean organizations. Further, this project will advance Canada’s sustainable blue economy and build a community of practice around ocean AI in Canada.
Through its AI Community Project Stream, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster will invest $2.5 million dollars in the Building Bridges Project through the cluster’s funding allotment from the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. The project positions Canada as a global leader in AI and ocean science innovation. By fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of a robust data infrastructure, Canada can lead advancements in sustainable ocean management, environmental monitoring, and resource efficiency.
Building Bridges Project Announcement. (Video credit: Canada’s Ocean Supercluster)
“Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is excited to announce our newest project called Building Bridges. Bringing together collaborators from across the country, this project will provide the tools and capacity building needed to accelerate the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Canada’s ocean sector and advance our leadership in AI globally,” commented Kendra MacDonald, CEO Canada’s Ocean Supercluster.
“There aren’t enough data specialists in the world to process the vast amounts of ocean data being captured: Ocean Networks Canada alone has 1.7 petabytes of data which grows daily from our observatories on the three coasts of Canada and Antarctica. AI technologies have the potential to marshal information and expedite research into vital earth and ocean processes and inform our decisions on tackling climate and environmental changes as well as growing a sustainable blue economy,” added Kate Moran, President and CEO, Ocean Networks Canada.