Initiative
Digital Sea
AI Applied to Quebec's Maritime Sector
The Digital Sea (Mer numérique) is a project that consolidates Eastern Quebec’s regional expertise in marine sciences with Quebec City’s expertise in data science and artificial intelligence (AI). Through The Digital Sea, CDRIN aims to develop a robust digital platform dedicated to the maritime sector that can support decision-making in sustainable resource management. The Digital Sea serves as a lever for socioeconomic development and environmental education.
On a technological level, the Digital Sea platform will, at its mature phase, allow for 4D visualization (three spatial dimensions and one temporal) and simulation of natural and human phenomena within a defined environment with cutting-edge realism (photorealism and artificial intelligence), adopting an ecosystem-based approach
A multidimensional collaborative project
In the maritime sector, one of the challenges faced by so-called intelligent computer systems is the acquisition of marine big data, as the quality of this data limits technological advancements. Additionally, there is a lack of methods to represent the interactions between natural and human processes with an acceptable degree of certainty.
Moreover, there is no visualization and scientific communication tool that can bring all maritime sector stakeholders to a level of understanding, action, and analysis necessary for informed decision-making.
As a College Centre for Technology Transfer (CCTT) based in Matane, the CDRIN’s mission is to support regional development. Within this framework, and with a focus on the challenges and issues of the maritime sector, the organization has undertaken the transformative Digital Sea project.
This initiative takes shape through multiple research and experimental development projects, where the CDRIN serves as a technological expert and facilitator.
Supporting Local Development
The Digital Sea project brings together a wide range of partners and collaborators from scientific, economic, and local sectors. Regional applied research stakeholders, such as the CCTT network, and maritime entities, like the Quebec Maritime Network, act as liaisons between AI research institutions and SMEs. The CDRIN positions itself as a regional catalyst for digital intelligence, dedicated to the maritime sector.
Canada, with its strong foundation in marine sciences and artificial intelligence, provides a favorable environment for the structuring and availability of big data. By combining these strengths with the maritime nature of Eastern Quebec, the Digital Sea project becomes a societal initiative with significant potential for collaboration, unifying expertise, research, and economy at both local and regional levels.
Academic Partners:
Cégep de Matane, Cégep de Rimouski, Cégep de la Gaspésie-les-Îles (ÉPAQ), UQAR
Scientific Partners:
Governmental: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (including Maurice Lamontagne Institute), MAPAQ
Inter-Order: Réseau Québec Maritime (RQM)
University: ISMER, IRHMAS, OGSL, CIDCO
College: LLio, CIRADD, MERINOV, Innovation maritime
Socioeconomic Partners:
City of Matane; MRC de La Matanie; SADC de La Matanie; ALT Numérique Desjardins; Caisses populaires Desjardins de La Matanie
Industrial Partners:
Créneau Québec maritime, RPPSG, ACGP, RPPCI, Chantier Naval Forillon, Usine LL&L, Multi-électronique
Digital Creativity Partners:
Super Splendide, Jolifish
Cultural (Heritage) Partners:
Exploramer, IRHMAS, Musée maritime du Québec, Bioparc de La Gaspésie, SÉPAQ (Île Bonaventure)
AI Partners:
Forum IA Québec, OBVIA, IVADO, CRIM