An Open University (OU) graduate has developed the world’s first AI-powered platform designed to comprehensively detect and monitor marine plastic debris.

Dr James Doherty, who studied both his Batchelor of Science and PhD at the OU on astronomy-focused themes, has turned his attention from studying distant exoplanets to addressing a critical environmental challenge here on Earth.

“Every year, over 10 million tonnes of plastic waste flood into our ocean, devastating marine ecosystems and costing global economies billions in lost natural resources,” James explained. “This pollution threatens food sources for three billion people worldwide and the future of our planet."

The UN Treaty on Plastics Pollution, currently under negotiation, has set ambitious targets to curb this environmental crisis. James believes the Plastic-i Observatory will play a pivotal role in achieving these goals.

Leveraging skills honed during his research on exoplanets -  including advanced machine learning and AI, James and his team developed a platform which functions like Google Maps, pinpointing areas of floating debris and predicting future pollution trends.

“What sets our platform apart is its ability to monitor the oceans on a global scale,” James said. “By leveraging archive data spanning 10 to 15 years, we can establish robust baselines, identify sources and hotspots of pollution, and predict the flow of debris. These insights boost the efficiency of cleanup operations and support efforts to tackle marine pollution more effectively.”

The Plastic-i Observatory opened for Beta testing on 25 September 2024 and has already attracted more than 100 active users. The testing phase will end in December, with plans to officially launch the platform in 2025.

James’ efforts demonstrate the potential for science and technology to tackle some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges—proof that innovation can arise from the unlikeliest of places, even the study of distant planets.