Bring your Blue AI project to I-WEBAP

A dedicated international workshop bringing together EU-funded projects working on artificial intelligence applications in marine and maritime domains. The workshop will foster exchange of knowledge, identification of synergies, and collaboration across related initiatives, with the ambition of establishing it as a recurring biannual event. It is expected to involve representatives from EU-funded projects, researchers, and innovation actors working at the intersection of AI and the blue economy.

Are you building artificial intelligence solutions for the ocean? We invite European and international research and innovation projects to express interest in showcasing their work during the dedicated i-WebAP seminar, held on the third day of the AI4OCEAN 2027 scientific conference in Cyprus, 17th of February 2027.

 The seminar will connect projects applying AI to marine biodiversity, Earth observation, maritime surveillance, underwater sensing, robotics, modelling, data infrastructures and responsible ocean innovation. The goal is not another sequence of isolated project presentations: it is to surface reusable solutions, common research challenges and real opportunities for collaboration.

Why take part?

• Give visibility to your project, partners, technologies, datasets and research results in a targeted ocean-AI audience.
• ·Connect with other initiatives working on compatible technical challenges and complementary marine use cases.
• ·Explore synergies around data interoperability, benchmarking, open science, testing environments, skills and future proposals.
• ·Share practical lessons from applying AI to complex, real-world ocean datasets—and help shape a cross-project conversation.

Who should express interest?

We welcome funded or recently completed research and innovation projects, relevant infrastructures and collaborative initiatives that feature a substantive AI/data-science component and a clear application to the marine or maritime domain. Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, Interreg, national and other international projects are welcome. Selection will prioritise demonstrable relevance, complementary perspectives and the capacity to contribute to an interactive programme.

Possible showcase formats

Depending on the final programme, contributions may include a short project spotlight, a technical demonstration, a research challenge or dataset pitch, and/or participation in a moderated discussion on opportunities for cross-project collaboration. The organising committee will confirm the selected format and time allocation.

How to express interest

1. Appoint one project contact and complete the short Microsoft Forms expression of interest by Sunday, 20th December 2026. The form:

AI4OCEAN 2027 I-WEBAP Blue-AI Project Expression of Interest – Fill out form

2. Tell us what your project does, how AI contributes to marine/maritime applications, what you could showcase and what synergies you want to explore. A detailed presentation is not required at this stage.

3. The programme team reviews submissions for thematic relevance, diversity of projects and concrete contribution to the seminar. Applicants may be invited to clarify their proposal.

4. Selected projects will receive details on speaking or demonstration formats, presentation requirements, registration and logistics by [DATE]. Submitting an EOI does not guarantee a speaking slot or funding.

What makes a strong expression of interest?

Be specific. Name the ocean challenge, the AI approach, the data or operational setting, and one tangible result, tool, dataset or lesson learned. Tell us what you would like to exchange with other projects—not only what you wish to promote.