IEEE Hawaii OES DL Seminar: Big picture; why the future of ocean observation and operations will not look like the past

#dl #seminar #ocean #oes #ai #robotics #oceanography #marineenvironment #MarineTechnology #SustainableFuture #DistributedAcousticSensing #MarineResearch #TechForGood #MarineScience

We live in interesting times.  Now is an excellent time to take a step back from the frantic pace of developing new technologies and view the broad outlook for the future, in contrast with the past, looking at how we have historically thought about, observed and worked in the marine environment, compared to what lies ahead.  We are at the leading edge of some game-changing technological developments with AI, robotics, computation and other areas revolutionising the way we do business in the ocean.  We are also faced with some unprecedented challenges in the history of oceanography and anthropogenic impact on our planet.  This presentation offers a perspective and a vision, with some examples from exciting new developments such as distributed acoustic sensing, imagining how these will transform how we observe and operate in the marine environment.

John Potter

Biography:

John has a joint honours Mathematics and Physics Degree and a PhD. in Glaciology and Oceanography from studying Antarctic ice mass balance, where he spent four summers. This work helped underscore the non-linear fragility of polar regions to climate change and led to him receiving the Polar Medal from Queen Elizabeth II in 1988.

 

He has 45 years’ experience in marine and glaciological research, from University positions (NUS, NTNU), research institute roles (BAS, SIO, NUS, NTNU) and NATO research and senior management (Saclant ASW Centre, NURC, CMRE) across Europe, the US and Asia. He is now a Full Professor at NTNU in Norway. His specialisations are glaciology, polar oceanography, acoustics, ambient noise, marine mammals, autonomous vehicles, machine intelligence, communications, distributed sensing networks, ocean advocacy and environmental conservation.

 

Frustrated by two decades of failure to promote ecosystem and climate awareness, in 2004 he took a 14-month ‘seabbatical’ with his family to circumnavigate the Indian Ocean by sailboat on a sponsored voyage of research, public outreach and education with a focus on the increasing degradation of the marine environment and mankind’s failed stewardship of this unique and beautiful blue planet.

 

Prof. Potter also has 10 years’ experience facilitating, coaching & training personal performance & leadership skills, change-management, team building, relationship management & corporate strategy. 

 

Prof. Potter is a Fellow of the IEEE and MTS, International Fellow of the Explorers Club, Associate Editor for the IEEE JOE and JASA, Lifetime Member Marine Mammal Society, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, TDI Nitrox and ECC Rebreather Diver and sometime General Aviation Pilot (Gliders and Gyrocopters).

 

It is no longer true that he neither owns nor operates a television.