New Delhi: The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) organised a high-level panel discussion with the theme ‘AI for Our Oceans of Tomorrow: Data, Models and
Governance’ during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Pragati Maidan. At the panel discussions, participants explored how artificial intelligence can transform how India governs its oceans, improve disaster resilience, enhance marine livelihoods and generally expand the blue economy. Senior government officials, international dignitaries, scientists, industry leaders, startups and financial experts all participated in the panel to examine the integration of AI into ocean science and policy.
Director General of the India Meteorological Department, Mrityunjaya Mohapatra gave a keynote address that outlined the importance of the ocean for climate regulation, disaster risk reduction, food security and livelihood. He pointed to India’s established strengths in ocean observation, cyclone forecasting, marine data systems and early warning services, which have all markedly lowered loss of life in extreme weather events. He stressed the need for data-driven, AI-supported models to work alongside traditional physical models, especially given the influence of climate change on ocean warming, acidification and sea-level rise. He cited the Deep Ocean Mission as a major national programme covering deep-sea exploration, offshore energy, biodiversity conservation and sustainable marine resource utilisation.
India -Norway cooperation in AI-driven ocean governance
Norway’s Ambassador to India, Ms May-Elin Stener described expanding India-Norway collaboration in oceans and the Blue Economy. She explained that AI can improve fisheries management, shipping efficiency, port operations and coastal resilience when supported by open, interoperable and trusted digital systems. She noted that India’s leadership in digital public infrastructure equips it to create a global digital ocean framework using open data, shared standards, and responsible governance, with the benefits expanding beyond India. Th experts agreed that the Blue Economy can become a sustainable driver of long-term growth, employment and investment in India and the Global South.
