The event “Artificial Intelligence, Blue Economy and Interreg Synergies”, Co-organised by seven Interreg Italy–Croatia Standard Projects focused on innovation in the Blue Economy, with the support of the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme and the Regione Emilia-Romagna, highlighted how AI is accelerating the evolution of marine technologies: advanced monitoring, more resilient offshore infrastructures, digital twins, and new management models for SMEs.
For IMAST – High Tech District on Engineering of Composite Materials and Polymers, these directions are fully aligned with its strategic pillars: advanced materials, digitalization, and sustainability as enablers of high‑value solutions for the Adriatic Blue Economy.
Building on the experience gained within the Interreg Italy Croatia ECCENTRIC project—where one of the activities focuses on applying artificial intelligence to support strategic decision‑making in the Blue Economy— IMAST has identified the opportunity to explore the activation of an interconnected model through future synergies with the #BEST4.0, #BEYOND Interreg Italy-Croatia , and Digital innovation HUB Innovamare projects.
This perspective could pave the way — together with the partners — for joint pilot experiments, shared technology‑transfer platforms, and initiatives dedicated to coastal resilience, the competitiveness of maritime SMEs, and the broader uptake of artificial intelligenceacross the Adriatic Blue Economy.
In this context, integrating innovation, AI and collaborative project approaches can help develop more effective solutions that respond to the real needs of the Blue Economy.