Ocean of Data Challenge
Post-secondary students across Canada are invited to test their skills in the Ocean of Data Challenge, a free, virtual student innovation competition hosted by DeepSense, COVE, and ShiftKey Labs.
Participants tackle ocean-related challenges using real-world data, working at their own pace to create solutions ranging from infographics and visualizations to apps and machine learning models. Each edition introduces a new theme and guiding question, encouraging fresh perspectives and interdisciplinary collaboration across fields like computer science, engineering, marine biology, sustainability, business, and more.
The challenge offers cash prizes, skill-building opportunities, and a platform to explore solutions for real-world ocean issues.
The challenge is divided into three streams: Ocean Economy, Ocean Environment, and Ocean Society. Participants will select one or more streams and develop an AI-based solution to analyze and interpret ocean data for actionable insights.
Challenge Stream #1: Ocean Economy
This stream explores how AI can drive sustainable growth in marine industries such as fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism, and offshore energy. Participants will tackle data-driven challenges to optimize operations, increase economic resilience, and reduce environmental impact. The focus is on practical AI applications that unlock value while preserving long-term ocean health.
Challenge Stream #2: Ocean Environment
This stream focuses on using AI to better understand, monitor, and protect ocean ecosystems. Participants will work with real-world environmental data to detect changes, model ecological dynamics, and support conservation strategies. Solutions should promote climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable resource use.
Challenge Stream #3: Ocean Society
This stream highlights the intersection of ocean data, AI, and human communities. Participants will address issues such as coastal resilience, Indigenous knowledge integration, equitable access to marine resources, and ocean literacy. The goal is to create AI-driven tools and insights that serve people, policies, and cultures connected to the sea.
Tuesday, June 3rd | 6:00 – 8:00 pm AST: Challenge kickoff! Join us virtually to learn about Building Bridges and explore how artificial intelligence is being used to tackle pressing challenges in the ocean sector. If you cannot attend, the session will be recorded and shared with all registrants within 24 hours.
Tuesday, June 17th | 11:59 pm AST: Final submissions due! Ensure that your team submits the Team Concept Submission Form and final video presentation via email to info@deepsense.ca. Use the subject line: “Challenge Submission by TEAM NAME.”
Thursday, July 3rd: Winners announced! All participants will be contacted with the results via email.
Post-secondary students across Canada, test your skills in the Ocean of Data Challenge! DeepSense, ShiftKey Labs, and COVE are excited to host the 11th Ocean of Data Challenge: Telling Ocean Stories, featuring Ocean Networks Canada.
Post-secondary students across Atlantic Canada, test your skills in the Ocean of Data Challenge! DeepSense, ShiftKey Labs, and COVE are thrilled to be hosting the 10th Ocean of Data Challenge: Coastal Clarity to explore how we can build coastal resilience.
Join the Ocean of Data Challenge by COVE, DeepSense, The PIER, and ShiftKey labs for some creative collaboration and idea generation! Watch the kick off of the Challenge now and learn more about the challenge with presentations from experts.
Join the Ocean of Data Challenge by COVE and DeepSense for some creative collaboration and idea generation! Watch the kick off of the Challenge now and learn more about the challenge with presentations from experts.
CIOOS, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ocean Start Up Project, COVE, ShiftKey Labs and DeepSense are hosting the seventh Ocean of Data Challenge.
Go behind the scenes of past challenges with kickoff recordings featuring challenge details and expert presentations.
