AI-ARC Artificial Intelligence based Virtual Control Room for the Arctic

Project starting point

Intergovernmental cooperation in the Arctic faces several challenges due to unique geopolitical, environmental and economic factors. The Arctic spans multiple countries, requiring complex coordination of search and rescue (SAR) and cross-border operations. Territorial disputes over resources, particularly between Russia, Canada, Denmark and Norway, can further complicate cooperation. Climate change exacerbates these problems, as environmental changes require joint mitigation measures, but differing national priorities make this difficult. Economic interests in resource extraction can eclipse environmental concerns, while new shipping routes and an increased military presence exacerbate the security situation.

Objective

AI-ARC is a consortium of 22 partners from 12 countries aiming to create an innovative AI-based platform called Virtual Control Room (VCR) to improve maritime situational awareness, decision-making, communication and security, especially in the Arctic Ocean.

Diese Plattform soll die Sicherung der Grenzen stärken und die Zusammenarbeit bei der Überwachung der Außengrenzen sowie bei Such- und Rettungsaktionen in der Arktis und den nördlichen Hochseegebieten unterstützen. In Zusammenarbeit mit Endnutzern entwickelt, wird der VCR nahtlos in bestehende Systeme integriert, um eine grenzüberschreitende Interoperabilität ohne kostspielige Investitionen zu gewährleisten.

AI-ARC legt auch einen Fokus auf die gesellschaftliche Resilienz und zielt darauf ab, das Sicherheitsempfinden der Öffentlichkeit zu verbessern. Das Projekt kommt Küsten- und Grenzschutzbehörden, privaten Organisationen, der Fischerei- und Kreuzfahrtindustrie sowie der Handelsschifffahrt zugute und trägt damit zu den Bemühungen der EU bei, ihre Grenzen zu sichern und ihre Bürger:innen zu schützen.

Project results and participation of Fraunhofer IOSB

Our Interactive Systems and Applied Explainable AI groups brought AI systems and the digital situation table to the project to improve maritime situational awareness. The Applied Explainable AI group analyzed large amounts of vessel movement data using intelligent systems to identify critical and illegal behavior. By combining data-driven systems with those based on expert knowledge, the presentation of information to end users in complex environments was significantly improved.

The specific objectives included detecting illegal fishing and ensuring safe navigation. The Interactive Systems group expanded the digital situation table to adapt it to the maritime environment. The focus was on displaying maritime chart data and ship movements as well as displaying the results of AI services, i.e. indications of suspicious or illegal activities, icebergs and emergency situations. Particular attention was paid to processing the large amount of information as efficiently as possible in order to avoid overloading the users.