Big Blue Ideas – Can AI Talk Whale?
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Turn Up. Speak Out. Dive In.
Join Matt Okine, Dr Vanessa Pirotta, Dr Catherine Ball and host Emily Jateff as they delve into the wild world of ocean artificial intelligence.
On February 19, the Australian National Maritime Museum is proud to present the latest talk in its Big Blue Ideas series, Can AI Talk Whale? Join comedian and author Matt Okine, wildlife and whale scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta, and scientific futurist Dr Catherine Ball, for an honest and open discussion about the ways in which artificial intelligence is reshaping how the sea is explored and protected.
The panel will examine the innovative ways artificial intelligence is being used to advance the current methods of managing the ocean, from tracking sharks to scanning the ocean floor, as well as its potential in possibly decoding whale language, cleaning up pollution and restoring ecosystems. Artificial intelligence is one of the most hotly debated topics in technological advancement, and this panel will unpack whether we are handing too much power to the algorithm.
Big Blue Ideas is a new series from the Australian National Maritime Museum in partnership with the Minderoo Foundation about the future of our ocean. Forget doom and gloom—these are not your typical climate conversations. From AI and conservation tech to cultural storytelling and deep-sea discovery, these talks put you in a room with innovators, scientists, artists, and disruptors.
This event begins at 6:30pm on February 19 and will be held at the Australian National Maritime Museum, with tickets starting from just $25. Following the talk, the conversation continues at our Sea Citizens After Party, a boardwalk gathering with drinks, hands-on activities, and the chance to connect directly with speakers and fellow ocean advocates.
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For more information about the event’s speakers, please see bios following.
Matt Okine
Matt Okine is a multi-talented actor, writer & presenter Matt Okine is one of Australia’s favourite award-winning comedians.
Matt’s award-winning semi-autobiographical stand up show The Other Guy was adapted for television by Australian streamer STAN in 2017. Matt co-wrote and starred in the show which earned him AACTA nominations for Best Comedy Series and Subscription TV Best New Talent.
Matt continues to solidify himself as a powerhouse TV producer, actor and writer, playing an integral role in the reboot of the Australian series Mother and Son – Season 1 & 2 (ABC). The show received numerous TV Week Logie nominations including Best Scripted Comedy Program, Best Lead Actor in a Comedy (Matt Okine) and Best Lead Actress in a Comedy (Denise Scott).
You can also listen to Matt daily alongside Alex Dyson on SCA’s All Day Breakfast on their Listnr app. The pair previously hosted Triple J radio’s hugely successful national Breakfast Show.
Dr Vanessa Pirotta
Dr Vanessa Pirotta is one of Australia’s most renowned wildlife scientists, pioneering innovative technologies to transform wildlife conservation across marine (whale snot drones) and terrestrial environments (AI to detect illegal wildlife trafficking). A globally recognised science communicator, she is driven by a passion for making science accessible, influential, and inclusive- earning recognition as one of the Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Women of Influence and Science & Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM. Vanessa leads impactful, cross-generational research that empowers communities through wildlife, including the Tongan Whale Tourism Project in the Kingdom of Tonga and the creation of the Wild Sydney Harbour citizen science program collaborating with First Nations Gamay Rangers to unite Indigenous Knowledge with cutting-edge science.
Dr Catherine Ball
Dr Catherine Ball is an award-winning company director, bestselling author and futurist working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs. Catherine is proud to be an advisor to a broad range of enterprises and philanthropic organisations including being an XPRIZE visioneer and member of their Global Brains Trust. Catherine is also proud to be a member of Australia’s Robotics Advisory Council, and an advocate for xFoundry, supporting the NEXPLORE2040 series of global conferences.
Catherine holds a BSc Honours (Environmental Protection), a PhD (Spatial Ecology, Descriptive and Predictive Statistics) both from the University of Newcastle- upon-Tyne in the UK and recently was awarded a DSc (Doctor of Science Honoris Causa) from Worcester Polytechnic in Massachusetts, USA. Catherine operates globally with headquarters in Singapore, London and Sydney.
Emily Jateff
Emily Jateff is the Senior Curator, Ocean Futures at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Her remit is partnerships, collections and content for ocean sciences, marine technologies, climate change and sustainability.
Emily leads the ten-year program in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.
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