MASTS Open Forum Session: Marine Artificial Intelligence

The MASTS Marine Artificial Intelligence Forum is please to host an open forum session with talks from Dr Zonghua Liu (Robert Gordon University) and Gary Groves PhD (SAMS, UHI).

Chairs: Dr Tom Wilding (SAMS, UHI) and Dr Ciprian Zavoianu (Robert Gordon University).

Dr Zonghua Liu will present Transforming Marine Science with Machine Learning.

Machine learning (ML), a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI), is centered on the development of computational systems that learn patterns and insights directly from data. Unlike traditional, rule-based programming, these algorithms autonomously improve their performance and accuracy through exposure to more information, effectively "learning" from experience without being explicitly coded for every scenario. The application of machine learning is rapidly transforming the field of marine science and technology. Its ability to process vast, complex, and multidimensional datasets makes it an indispensable tool for modern marine research. Consequently, proficiency in ML is no longer just an advantage but is becoming an essential skill for researchers and professionals aiming to tackle the most pressing challenges in oceanography, ecology, and resource management. This presentation will illustrate this transformative potential through a series of concise case studies. We will explore how ML algorithms are being deployed for critical tasks such as classification, identification, segmentation, sizing and measurement. Finally, we will conclude with a forward-looking perspective, discussing the current limitations, emerging trends, and promising future directions for machine learning in advancing our understanding and stewardship of the marine environment.