The $3 Trillion Blue Economy! How AI & Robotics Are Unlocking the Ocean Now | Kendra MacDonald
In this episode of the An Hour of Innovation podcast, Vit Lyoshin explores how the blue economy is rapidly becoming one of the most important industries of our time, powered by AI, robotics, ocean technology, and deep ocean data.
Vit is joined by Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, one of the world’s leading ocean innovation ecosystems, driving commercialization, clean tech, and marine technology breakthroughs.
They explore how the $3 trillion ocean economy has already surpassed global projections, and why AI, autonomous vessels, robotics, and advanced ocean data are transforming everything from aquaculture to climate change solutions. Kendra explains how the deep ocean remains 75% unmapped, why the ocean produces 50% of the oxygen we breathe, and how carbon removal, marine biotechnology, and ocean sustainability innovations could define the next decade. They also dive into how startups can enter this space and why the ocean is no longer “too big to fail.”
Kendra MacDonald leads Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, an organization with over 150 funded projects and nearly 1,000 members accelerating ocean innovation across shipping, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, and clean tech. She works at the intersection of industry, technology, and sustainability, helping de-risk and scale ocean startups globally. With deep insight into autonomous vessels, AI-powered ocean data systems, and blue economy investment trends, she brings a rare economic and climate lens to the future of the deep ocean.
Takeaways
* The ocean economy has already reached $3 trillion, doubling in size since 2016 and outpacing projections.
* The ocean produces 50% of the oxygen we breathe, making it critical to human survival.
* Around 85–90% of global goods move by ship, making ocean infrastructure essential to supply chains.
* Nearly 99% of international internet traffic runs through subsea cables on the ocean floor.
* AI and computer vision now track fish movement without tagging, improving conservation and dam efficiency.
* Autonomous vessels can operate 24/7 in extreme environments, reducing cost and safety risks.
* eDNA genomics allows scientists to detect biodiversity from a single water sample.
* Small efficiency gains in shipping routes can significantly reduce fuel use and emissions.
* Seaweed farming can reduce methane emissions when added to livestock feed.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
01:39 What is Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
04:32 What Is the $3 Trillion Ocean Economy?
08:22 Why the Ocean Economy Matters to Everyone
10:09 AI, Robotics & Ocean Technology Breakthroughs
14:19 Sustainable Ocean Tech & Climate Solutions
16:28 Investment & Growth in the Blue Economy
19:24 How Companies Can Enter Ocean Economy
23:27 Aquaculture, Agriculture & Ocean Sustainability
28:12 The Future of Ocean Data & Measurement
30:57 Deep Ocean Challenges & Carbon Removal
32:44 Startup Opportunities in Ocean Technology
36:00 AI, Autonomous Vessels & Ocean Robotics
39:11 The Power & Impact of the Ocean Economy
44:09 Why the Blue Economy Is Rising
44:20 Innovation Q&A
Connect with Kendra
* Website: https://oceansupercluster.ca/
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendra-macdonald-40b574/
* Substack: https://substack.com/@saltwatersignals
* Other: https://kendramacdonald.com/
This Episode Is Supported By
* Google Workspace: Collaborative way of working in the cloud, from anywhere, on any device - https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/A7wH
* Webflow: Create custom, responsive websites without coding - https://try.webflow.com/0lse98neclhe
* MeetGeek: Record, transcribe, summarize, and share insights from every meeting - https://get.meetgeek.ai/yjteozr4m6ln
For inquiries about sponsoring An Hour of Innovation, email iris@anhourofinnovation.com
Connect with Vit
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/
* Substuck: https://anhourofinnovation.substack.com/
* X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin
