The Next Wave: AI and the Future of Ocean Conservation, with Ocean Agentics

The world has committed to protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, a target scientists see as the minimum for a healthy ocean. With four years to go, only about 3% is effectively protected. Countries and communities pursuing the 30x30 goal often lack the data, tools and technical teams to propose and implement conservation efforts at the speed and scale needed to get there. AI is starting to help with some of the hardest parts of that work. It can map where whales and other wildlife gather so countries know which waters to protect, and help coast guards catch illegal fishing vessels inside protected areas. However, most of these tools still sit out of reach of the small island nations and coastal communities with the most at stake. Whether AI narrows that gap or widens it depends on whether it’s built with and for the people who will use it. Join Anew and Ocean Agentics for an evening of conversation with people leading this work across ocean technology, science, philanthropy and policy. We’ll talk about what responsible AI for the ocean could look like, and what it would take for these tools to reach the people who need them. Drinks and mingling to follow. Ocean Agentics is a nonprofit building open tools that put frontier technology and marine data in the hands of people protecting the ocean. Our current focus is on providing engineering support to the countries and stakeholders implementing the High Seas Treaty, which covers two-thirds of the ocean.