Events

Goals 

The two-day symposium “Marine AI and Robotics for Innovation and Sustainability: Advancing Intelligence to Preserve Marine Biodiversity” (MARIS-AI) is designed to bring together experts and stakeholders from academia, industry, and public institutions to explore the role of cutting-edge technologies in addressing key challenges in marine ecosystems.

Every day, the event will open with distinguished invited international and regional speakers, offering strategic perspectives on the integration of robotics, AI, and data science in marine monitoring and conservation. Throughout the symposium, contributed presentations (selected after abstract submission) will cover a wide range of topics, including Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Bio-Inspired Robotics, Soft Robotics, Swarm Robotics, edge AI for real-time monitoring, energy-efficient solutions, and predictive modeling of marine biodiversity. 

The symposium also aims to foster multidisciplinary dialogue, with a dedicated panel focused to sustainability issues and international regulations concerning data sharing, and inter-governmental cooperation to enhance the GCC and Middle East ecosystem of marine science and innovation. 

A poster session and competition dedicated to students will be included to support knowledge sharing and training of the next generation of ocean technologists. 

This Symposium is at the intersection of SCAI (Sorbonne Center for AI) and Ocean Institute, two leading Research Centers at Sorbonne University, Abu Dhabi. 

The role of AI and Marine Robotics

Marine Robotics and Autonomous Systems can give a strong acceleration in enhancing the knowledge of the underwater environment and allow operations in remote areas. While in the past, the monitoring of the Ocean was based on long-term ship surveys and operations were mainly based on divers missions, nowadays, surface and underwater autonomous systems with their own AI on the edge have made possible the development of new systems for sampling the oceans in a sustained way, with increased spatiotemporal resolution and at lower costs. 

This will enhance real-time ocean monitoring, ecosystem preservation, early alarm systems to prevent environmental disasters and guarantee the development of human-marine activities in respect of Ocean health. 

Panel Agenda

The symposium also aims to foster multidisciplinary dialogue, with a dedicated panel focused to sustainability issues and international regulations concerning data sharing, technology use, and inter-governmental cooperation to enhance the GCC and Middle East ecosystem of marine science and innovation.

Abstract Submission 

Scope and themes 

We welcome original contributions on (including but not limited to):

- AI for marine sensing, perception, and decision-making

- Generative AI for marine environment and robotics

- Computer Vision for marine biodiversity, Deep Learning models

- Eco-acoustics, and habitat mapping

- Data-driven oceanography, digital twins, and predictive modeling

- Autonomous surface/underwater vehicles and multi-robot systems

- Low-power/edge AI for field deployments

- Ethics, and standards in marine AI & robotics

The best abstracts will be selected for oral contributions or posters.

Deadlines

- 15 December 2025: Abstract Submission (both for Talk and Poster)

- 31 December 2025: Abstract Acceptance

Instructions 

Format: 1 page abstract (PDF), including title, authors/affiliations, keywords, and a brief statement of contributions/novelty. Please specify if you prefer an oral or a poster presentation.

Submit your abstract to: Submission by email: giulia.demasi@sorbone.apps.plana.ae. Use as subject "MARIS-AI Abstract Submission"

The best contribution by Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students will be awarded. Awards will recognize scientific quality, clarity, and impact. Please indicate "student" status at submission.

For more information, please email giulia.demasi@sorbone.apps.plana.ae 

Make sure you register by filling the form below.