ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE in SPACE and at SEA CONFERENCE 23th May 2024 Gdansk University of Technology

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in our lives. Thanks to it, we can explore the Universe, but also closely observe what is happening on the lands and oceans of our globe. Conference entitled “Artificial intelligence in space and at sea” took place at the Gdańsk University of Technology on May 23, 2024.

The conference was organized by the Space Sciences Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), Gdańsk Branch, in cooperation with the Baltic Maritime and Space Cluster and the Gdańsk University of Technology. The event was held under the honorary patronage of the Polish Space Agency. We took advantage of the invitation and participated in most of the conference.

The conference was opened by prof. Edmund Wittbrodt – chairman of the Space Sciences Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, welcoming the participants, among others. prof. Mirosława Ostrowska – vice-president of the Polish Academy of Sciences, also representing the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences; prof. Janusz Nieznański – vice-rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology for internationalization and innovation; prof. Marek Grzybowski – president of the Baltic Maritime and Space Cluster, president of the Polish Nautological Society; Dr. Michał Wierciński – vice-president of the Polish Space Agency (present at the conference via internet links).

 

Vice-Rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology prof. Janusz Nieznański, welcoming those who came to the University for the space meeting, recalled that a conference was recently held at the Gdańsk University of Technology entitled “Development of artificial intelligence in the construction of a knowledge metropolis”, organized by the Gdańsk University of Technology, the Information Processing Center of the National Research Institute, as well as by the Pomeranian Voivodeship Local Government and the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area.

– This is the fifth conference organized at the Gdańsk University of Technology and by the Gdańsk University of Technology – reminded Prof. Edmund Wittbrodt – chairman of the Space Sciences Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
“Artificial intelligence in space and at sea” is extremely topical. There are no newspapers or weekly magazines that do not have articles devoted to artificial intelligence, because humanity has a lot of hope for a better life with it. However, there are people who express many concerns about AI, which is why they ask about the possibility of losing jobs and ethical issues – said Prof. Edmund Wittbrodt. – There are fears that this will get out of control.

Artificial intelligence surrounds us. It can be beneficial to us, but it can also be used for nefarious purposes. Therefore, the question also arises: how to live with artificial intelligence.
– The topic of artificial intelligence dominates discussions in almost every area – said Dr. Michał Wierciński – vice-president of the Polish Space Agency, while conveying greetings from prof. Grzegorz Wrochna – president of the Polish Space Agency. Artificial intelligence in space plays a significant role, e.g. in imaging, in the process of analyzing satellite images. Thanks to AI, analysis efficiency can be significantly increased. This is especially important now, for Ukraine. There is also a lot going on in Poland in the area of ​​satellite reconnaissance.
Based on the contract signed in 2022, further Polish satellites will be placed in space. This year, the Ministry of National Defense is to launch a project that will enable the acquisition of 3-5 satellites, hopefully from Polish industry.

Prof. Jacek Rumiński – head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Computer Science of the Gdańsk University of Technology, drew attention to an important thread that provokes reflection: machines already know almost everything that we humans know. New knowledge is needed so that we can enrich the knowledge of these machines.

Prof. Marek Grzybowski – president of the Baltic Maritime and Space Cluster gave a lecture entitled “Satellite systems and artificial intelligence track ghost ships carrying crude oil and grains bypassing EU sanctions.” Sea routes transport 90 percent of the tonnage of goods and 70 percent of the value of goods traded on international markets. It is therefore not surprising that, as a result of the sanctions introduced against Russia, a gray zone and a black zone in maritime transport are developing.

Satellite technologies allow us to control this situation, said Prof. Marek Grzybowski. Europe is very dependent on products transported by ship and by sea. Many ships built in Europe are made of sheet metal from outside Europe. Various methods are used to circumvent the sanctions imposed on Russia. But even ships that turn off information about their position are observed thanks to satellites and artificial intelligence.

The oldest and largest ships are used for smuggling – said prof. Marek Grzybowski. – This is also under control thanks to artificial intelligence. The beneficiaries of the war in Ukraine are those who increase supplies of crude oil, products and LNG to EU countries.

SESSION entitled “YOUNG STARS” – chaired by prof. Jacek Rumiński – head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Computer Science of the Gdańsk University of Technology.

Artificial intelligence tests trained in a artifical environment were presented by Maximilian Minta, General Director, Neptun Studio.
Chemical and microbiological differentiation of the stratosphere (STORMDUST – Diversity of the stratosphere in terms of chemical and microbiology), STORMDUST – REXUS/BEXUS program) were presented by Hanna Wiatrowska, Agata Wiśniewska, Katarzyna Sochaj, Magdalena Sadowska, SimLE Student Organization, Gdańsk University of Technology. The SimBa R7 hybrid rocket as an innovative research platform was presented by students Małgorzata Majda, Jakub Owsianowski, Magdalena Sadowska, SimLE Student Organization, Gdańsk University of Technology.

The best presentation was selected by Maximilian Minta – Artificial intelligence tests trained in an artificial environment – and awarded by the Chairman of the Space Science Committee.

APPLICATION SESSION – presenter: prof. Marek GRZYBOWSKI. – Introduction entitled “Smart and Green Sea Port, Port Hamburg Case Study” for a panel session led by Maciej Brzozowski Port Hamburg Marketing Representative Office in Poland. Maciej Brzozowski presented the latest programs supporting the management of the port, ships, road transport and block trains reaching the terminals of the port of Hamburg with containers and transporting containers from the seaport on the Elbe.

“Tax relief for research and development and EU subsidies” for enterprises was presented by Dame Matusiak – sector sales director of Ayming Polska. Enterprises focusing on innovation can obtain financial support, which is divided into two areas, i.e. subsidy projects and research and development activities, i.e. what we can get before the project. The second part is what we can get in terms of financing, i.e. tax and pro-innovation relief. We can settle this type of relief based on the costs incurred.

Krzysztof Anzelewicz, Vice-President of the Management Board of the Baltic Sea & Space Cluster, Dorota Sobieniecka-Kańska, Director of the Gdańsk Business Club, Nina Katka, Chairwoman of the Youth Government of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Barbara Matysiak, Chairwoman of the Baltic Sea and Space Cluster, participated in the APPLICATION SESSION panel, chaired by prof. Marek Grzybowski. Panel participants drew attention to the humanistic aspects of using artificial intelligence in business, education and everyday life.

RESEARCH SESSION, which according to the program was led by prof. Michał WASILCZUK.
Participants:
– Dr. Paweł Chyc – Jurisdiction in extraterritorial maritime, space and digital space, University of Business and Administration, Gdynia
– prof. Krzysztof Lipiński, prof. Mirosław Gerigk, Ph.D. Eng. Marek Chodnicki – Development of a control system for an autonomous seaplane, Gdańsk University of Technology
– prof. Sławomir Augustyn – Building situational awareness using artificial intelligence – digital transformation, Military University of Technology, Warsaw
– Dr. Eng. Dariusz Rykaczewski, Ph.D. Eng. Marcin Chodnicki – Application of artificial intelligence in the control and supervision of unmanned aircraft, Air Force Institute of Technology, Warsaw
– prof. Mirosław K. Gerigk, Dr. Marek Chodnicki – An innovative hybrid system based on artificial intelligence of a mini-brain for the project of the unmanned UAV-WIG platform, Gdańsk University of Technology.

The discussion and final session were led by prof. Edmund Wittbrodt.

“ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE in SPACE and at SEA” took place at the Gdańsk University of Technology in Auditorium Novum on May 23, 2024. Space Sciences Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk Branch,
in cooperation with the Baltic Sea & Space Cluster and Gdansk University of Technology where organizers of the conference. The conference was held under the patronage of the Polish Space Agency.

8.30       REGISTRATION

9.00       OPENING SESSION – chaired by Prof. dr hab. inż. Edmund Wittbrodt – President of the Space Sciences Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences

– Welcome address to the participants by Prof. dr hab. inż. Krzysztof Wilde – Rector of Gdansk University of Technology

• Grzegorz Wrochna – President of the Polish Space Agency
• Tadeusz Uhl – AGH University, Cracow
• Marek Moszyński – Polish Space Agency
• Dr hab. Marek Grzybowski, prof. BSW  – Satellite systems and artificial intelligence track ghost ships carrying crude oil and grains bypassing EU sanctions, President of the Baltic Sea & Space Cluster

9.50       “YOUNG STARS” SESSION – chaired by Dr. Magdalena Konopacka (to be confirmed)

– Maximilian Minta – Tests of artificial intelligence trained in a synthetic environment, Chief Executive Officer, Neptune Studio,

– Hanna Wiatrowska, Agata Wiśniewska, Katarzyna Sochaj, Magdalena Sadowska (Vice President of Technical SimLE) – STORMDUST – Chemical and microbiological stratospheric differentiation (STORMDUST – Zróżnicowanie stratosfery pod kątem chemicznym i mikrobiologicznym), STORMDUST – REXUS/BEXUS program, SimLE Students’s Organization, Gdańsk University of Technology

– Małgorzata Majda, Jakub Owsianowski, Magdalena Sadowska (Vice President of Technical SimLE) – SimBa R7 hybrid rocket as an innovative research platform (Rakieta hybrydowa SimBa R7 jako innowacyjna platforma badawcza), SimLE Students’s Organization, Gdańsk University of Technology

The best presentation will be awarded by the President of the Space Sciences Committee

11.20    COFFEE BREAK

11.30  APPLICATIONS’ SESSION – chaired by Prof. dr hab. inż. Marek Grzybowski

–  Introduction to Panel Session by Maciej Brzozowski – Smart and Green, Port of Hamburg, Marketing Representative Office in Poland (Port Hamburg Representative, Marketing w Polsce)

– R&D Supporting Presentation by Adam Matusiak – R&D Tax Reliefs and EU subsidies, Sector Sales Director Ayming Polska

– Participants of Panel Session:

– Marek Grzybowski, Phd. Prof. BSW, President of the Management Board of the Baltic Sea & Space Cluster

– Krzysztof Anzelewicz, Vice-President of the Management Board of the Baltic Sea & Space Cluster

– Dorota Sobieniecka-Kańska, Director of the Gdańsk Business Club

– Nina Katka, Chairwoman of the Youth Assembly of the Province of Pomeranian

– Barbara Matysiak, Baltic Sea & Space Cluster, Chair of the Baltic Mediation Board

12.50     COFFEE BREAK

13.00     RESEARCH SESSION – chaired by Prof. Michał WASILCZUK

– Dr. Paweł Chyc – Jurisdiction in extraterritorial maritime, space and digital space (Jurysdykcja w pozaterytorialnej przestrzeni morskiej, kosmicznej i cyfrowej), University of Business and Administration, Gdynia

– Prof. Marcin Dornowski – Academy of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk – participation to be confirmed

– Prof. Jacek Rumiński – Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, Gdańsk University of Technology – participation to be confirmed

– Prof. Krzysztof Lipiński, Prof. Mirosław Gerigk, dr Eng. Marek Chodnicki – Development of a Control System for an Autonomous Seaplane, Gdansk University of Technology

– Prof. Krzysztof Falkowski – Military University of Technology, Warsaw – participation to be confirmed

– Prof. Sławomir Augustyn – Building of situational awareness by using artificial intelligence – the digital transformation (Budowanie świadomości sytuacyjnej z wykorzystaniem sztucznej inteligencji – Cyfrowa transformacja), Military University of Technology, Warsaw

– Dr. Eng. Dariusz Rykaczewski,  Dr. Eng. Marcin Chodnicki – The application of artificial intelligence in unmanned aircraft control and surveillance, Air Force Institute of Technology, Warsaw

– Prof. Mirosław K. Gerigk, Dr. Marek Chodnicki – A novel hybrid mini-brain AI-based system for an unmanned UAV-WIG platform design, Gdańsk University of Technology

15.00     DISCUSSION AND CLOSING SESSION – by Prof. Edmund Wittbrodt and Prof. Zdzisław Brodecki