AI and Satellites Enable New Ocean Monitoring Technology Through European Digital Twin
The European Union has launched the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO), a free online platform that uses artificial intelligence and satellite data to monitor ocean conditions and predict environmental changes. The initiative, presented by the EU Commission in 2022 and now integrated into the broader OceanEye monitoring plan, is set to become fully operational by 2030. The technology addresses urgent ocean challenges highlighted by the UN, including rising sea levels, increasing ocean heat, and declining Arctic sea ice.
The European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO) is a virtual replica of the ocean developed by Mercator Ocean International and the Flanders Marine Institute, offering high-resolution interactive maps accessible to scientists and policymakers. The platform integrates data from European satellites through the Copernicus Earth observation program, supplemented by data from U.S., Indian, and Japanese sources, along with in-situ measurements from vessels worldwide. EDITO's AI capabilities enable users to model "what if" scenarios—such as assessing how fish populations might respond to temperature increases or whether seagrass could reduce coastal erosion. The platform also features an AI chatbot to answer ocean-related questions, with discussions underway about potential partnerships with major AI companies like ChatGPT to expand public access. The initiative responds to the UN's World Ocean Assessment, which documents accelerating sea-level rise, concentrated ocean warming since 2018, and declining Arctic sea ice.
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- EuronewsCenter
How AI and satellites can help protect our oceans | Euronews Tech Talks
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