OceanX Summit Connects Discovery with Impact Through Education and Innovation
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OceanX Summit 2026 brought together leading voices in ocean science, government, exploration, education, and conservation to discuss how to turn ocean discoveries into lasting change. The summit, held in Singapore, featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including oceanographer Sylvia Earle, filmmaker and deep-sea explorer James Cameron, and Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society.
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Trade) Gan Kim Yong opened the summit, highlighting the importance of ocean exploration in student learning. Minister for Education Desmond Lee addressed the role of ocean exploration in engaging the next generation and fostering a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems.
The summit explored various themes, including the use of artificial intelligence to connect fragmented datasets and the importance of high-quality information from underrepresented regions. Discussions also centered on how public policy, private-sector expertise, and philanthropic support can work together to protect marine biodiversity, with a particular focus on the needs of coastal communities.
OceanX, a nonprofit working to unlock the ocean's sustainable potential, led the Into the Deep: Monsoon Rise expedition, jointly with NUS. This expedition mapped over 8,300 square kilometers of seafloor in the eastern Indian Ocean, with scientists from Southeast Asia and the Pacific working alongside Singapore researchers. Approximately 2,000 specimens collected during the expedition are now contributing to ongoing biodiversity research.
The summit also emphasized the importance of education and storytelling in bringing the ocean closer to people. Singapore's partnership with OceanX through the Ministry of Education and Science Centre Board has enabled over 570 students and educators to visit OceanXplorer since 2024. Hundreds more have joined ship-to-shore expedition livestreams, providing immersive experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world research.
OceanX Education and its Changemaker community developed over 20 immersive installations to engage audiences. These installations put visitors inside ocean stories and research, demonstrating how art, media, and technology can build understanding and invite people into the work. The summit featured a discussion between Mark Dalio and Anderson Tanoto of the Tanoto Foundation, highlighting education pathways across Southeast Asia. Nine Tanoto Foundation scholars have participated in OceanX's Young Explorers programme, while the partnership continues to develop opportunities through fellowships, hackathons, and other immersive learning experiences.
Local leadership was a key theme, with speakers from the conservation community showcasing how ocean protection is being advanced by local leaders. Coral Gardeners founder Titouan Bernicot described an island-led movement that has grown to 97 full-time employees and planted over 250,000 corals across French Polynesia, Fiji, and Thailand. Other changemakers presented projects using AI for reef monitoring and immersive media to connect audiences with marine ecosystems.
The summit convened over 750 participants, including 223 students and educators, to explore the relationships and ideas that can carry this work forward. OceanX has committed a significant share of its 2027 expedition time to high seas research, underscoring its commitment to advancing ocean knowledge and stewardship.