Copernicus Security Services (CSS) support EU security, law enforcement, and international commitments by providing Earth Observation (EO) data for border and maritime surveillance, as well as other security-focused actions. However, the effectiveness of satellite data can be constrained by factors such as satellite positioning, weather conditions, and the dynamic nature of security threats, often necessitating the integration of supplementary data sources for a more comprehensive view.
Emerging AI/ML technologies have introduced unprecedented potential to process and analyze heterogeneous data streams rapidly, including social media feeds, sensors, and satellite imagery. The AI4COPSEC project aims to apply these technologies to enhance Copernicus services, enabling advanced capabilities in border and maritime surveillance. Applications are focused on oil spill detection and response, illegal fishing alerts, and irregular migration monitoring, alongside the development of new tools to support Search-and-Rescue (SaR) operations.
By integrating Geospatial AI (GeoAI), thermal imagery, and social media intelligence, AI4COPSEC significantly improves the timeliness, precision, and scope of maritime surveillance and disaster response. The project will establish new Copernicus-based services that enable faster and more effective security operations, in alignment with EU maritime security strategies. These advancements facilitate the bridging of critical operational gaps, delivering actionable intelligence to address complex security challenges.
Project’s main objectives:
Securely Integrating Diverse Data Streams: Securely integrate diverse data sources, including satellite imagery, AIS, and social media, ensuring seamless and timely access to high-quality, actionable insights. This approach aligns with policy requirements and the operational needs of end users, enabling informed decision-making in complex security scenarios.
Applying the Power of AI for Real-Time Insights: Develop and test self-supervised and semi-supervised AI models to extract meaningful insights from complex datasets. Transform raw data into actionable intelligence for maritime and border surveillance.
Advancing Copernicus Operations: Integrate advanced technologies into the operational Copernicus environment, enabling near real-time data analysis. Enhance the effectiveness of existing services while expanding the potential for new applications.
Driving project Impact and Long-Term Sustainability: Widen the reach of AI4COPSEC by establishing the groundwork for broader deployment across EU Copernicus services. Create lasting value for processing value chains, maximizing impact on Europe’s security landscape.
ITML’s role in the project
In AI4COPSEC, ITML contributes to four key areas:
1) Develops intelligent data fusion mechanisms for multimodal data aggregation.
2) Deploys AI-based anomaly detection and trajectory prediction.
3) Leads the enhancement, integration, and demonstration of the Copernicus Security Services.
4) Serves as the project’s exploitation manager.
For more information, visit the official project website: https://ai4copsec.eu/
Acknowledgment
The project AI4COPSEC has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under the Grant Agreement No. 101190021.
