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The final day of OceanX Summit built on the momentum of previous days, shifting from vision and imagination to solutions and scale, and where we go from here. The day centered on actionable outcomes — how science, technology, and storytelling can converge to protect biodiversity, accelerate innovation, and inspire the next generation of ocean leaders.
OceanX Co-CEO Vincent Pieribone opened the day with a rallying call to preserve biodiversity as the foundation of ocean health and resilience. He reminded the audience that while marine biodiversity has taken millions of years to evolve, humanity has just 50 years to ensure its survival.
Highlighting OceanX’s achievements over the past year, Pieribone underscored the organization’s expanding impact: record research missions across three ocean basins, the first UN Ocean Decade–endorsed expedition (Around Africa Expedition), and significant contributions to global knowledge, including 317,000 km² of mapped seafloor and 146 peer-reviewed publications as of this year.
Pieribone emphasized that advancing ocean science is essential to protecting the ocean. “Mapping provides the baselines for conservation; publications place knowledge in the hands of the scientific community; expeditions connect exploration to real-world priorities," he said, underscoring how science lays the foundation for informed action and meaningful change.
The first panel showcased how technology is reshaping marine conservation. From environmental DNA (eDNA) and AI-powered platforms to marine robotics and advanced imaging, panelists emphasized that cutting-edge tools are giving scientists unprecedented speed and scale in mapping and monitoring ecosystems.
Vincent Pieribone noted that “the ocean is vast, complex, and often inaccessible, but technologies like AI, genomics, and robotics are finally catching up to its scale.” Professor of Biology at NYUAD, John Burt described eDNA as “the ocean’s fingerprint,” while Melissa Garren, Principal of Working Ocean Strategies, highlighted the importance of accessibility: “It’s not enough for a tool to be cutting-edge, it has to work for policymakers, investors, and local communities if it’s going to matter.”
Panelists emphasized that extreme environments can serve as natural laboratories for resilience research. They also suggested that funding models must evolve to ensure that innovators can scale solutions globally. As Maureen Brésil, Associate Director of Katapult Ocean Alliance, explained, “When investors, scientists, and technologists align, innovation accelerates from the lab bench to the field.” The overarching message was clear – open knowledge systems innovative technology are essential to turn discovery into action.
The next panel shifted focus toward education, equity, and leadership for the ocean’s future. Panelists explored how redefining ocean literacy can mobilize the next generation. Manu Prakash, Associate Professor of Bioengineering, Biology (courtesy), and Oceans (courtesy) at Stanford University, illustrated this with the Foldscope, a $2 microscope that turns every child into a potential discoverer. “Every child is born a scientist,” he said, “we just need to give them the tools.”
Speakers also emphasized the role of art, media, and immersive storytelling in reframing environmental issues emotionally, not just scientifically. Ong Kian Peng, Assistant Professor at the School of Art, Design, & Media at NTU, explained that “affective experiences motivate people more than data alone,” while Terry Tamminen, President & CEO of AltaSea reinforced the importance of training a workforce ready for the blue economy. “Blue economy jobs won’t be replaced by AI or automation," he said. "They are solid, future-proof careers.”
The panel concluded that scaling ocean leadership requires democratized access to science, reimagined education systems, and new pathways into ocean-focused careers.
Dr. Lim TM, APAC Regional Executive Director for OceanX Education, closed the day by reflecting on his 35+ years in science education and his mission to link science, storytelling, and experiential learning. He introduced several new initiatives, including:
A collaboration with Singapore’s ArtScience Museum for an OceanX exhibition launching next April.
The OceanX Residency Program, offering hands-on training and leadership development for emerging professionals in science, media, engineering, and operations.
The day closed with the introduction of OceanX’s first Resident, Nada Abdelkader, a PhD student in marine ecology who will join OceanX for the next several months. A moving film highlighted her journey, from an innovative idea leveraging a sustainable, local approach to help restore seagrass to working with an immersive storytelling team that helped her translate her solution into an interactive experience for a wide audience.
As the OceanX Summit came to a close, participants were reminded that an ecosystem’s biodiversity is the bedrock of its health. Preserving it requires urgent and coordinated action, and comprehensive scientific research to guide us. Scaling ocean solutions demands more than innovation, it requires accessibility, collaboration, storytelling, and education. With new technologies, bold partnerships, and the next generation of leaders stepping forward, OceanX Summit is working to turn imagination into impact, ensuring a resilient and thriving ocean for generations to come.
OceanX hosted a groundbreaking summit to discuss how to reconnect humanity with the ocean.
The second day of OceanX Summit brought like minds together, turning shared passion into bold action for the ocean.
Day 1 set the stage for how exploration, science, and education can converge to shape a more sustainable future for the ocean, planet, and humanity.
