SOCIB director Joaquín Tintoré appointed to the Digital Twins of the Ocean Steering Committee

Joaquín Tintoré, director of the Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (ICTS SOCIB), has been selected to join the Steering Committee (SC) of the Digital Twins of the Ocean (DITTO) for a three-year term, with the possibility of renewal. This appointment marks a significant step in the collaboration and advancement of global oceanic research and digital simulation technologies.

The DITTO programme, which runs from July 2021 to June 2030, supports the development of digital twins of the ocean. These precise digital representations of marine environments integrate data from various sources, including marine and satellite data, modeling, and simulations, all underpinned by high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, and specialized tools. The initiative aims to create a shared digital framework that enhances the access, manipulation, analysis, visualization, and utilization of oceanic information.

The vision of the DITTO programme is to use digital twins to support ocean protection, governance, and the sustainable development of the Blue Economy. Its mission is to foster a common understanding and establish best practices in the development of these digital twins, empowering professionals across the globe to create and utilize these tools effectively.

The DITTO Steering Committee is composed of 17 distinguished experts from the oceanography and digital twinning community, representing a wide range of scientific backgrounds and countries. The SC plays a crucial role in providing scientific and technical guidance, overseeing the implementation of DITTO initiatives, and setting up time-limited, task-specific working groups. The SC engages directly with a network of implementing partners, including the Ocean Decade Coordination Unit, the Ocean Prediction DCC, and other relevant Ocean Decade Programs. It also interacts with DITTO-affiliated projects and various regional, national, and community-based digital ocean twinning activities.

Expressing his enthusiasm about his new role, Joaquin Tintoré stated: “We are excited from SOCIB to bring our experience on integrated regional ocean observing systems and applications to work together in advancing the goals of this significant Ocean Decade Programme.” He added, “Our collective efforts are crucial for addressing the pivotal ‘What if’ questions that underpin ocean development. By leveraging shared data, models, and knowledge, we aim to empower ocean professionals, citizen scientists, policymakers, and the general public alike. This initiative enables them to visualize and explore comprehensive ocean knowledge, data, models, and forecasts, further enriching our understanding and management of marine environments.”

Looking forward, the newly formed Steering Committee will elect a chair and vice-chairs from within its ranks to lead its efforts.

For more information and updates on the election process, please visit the official website at https://ditto-oceandecade.org.