A Montreal-based company has achieved a remarkable feat by securing its place on the prestigious United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) list of the top 100 global innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) for the second time. This recognition underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging AI technology for the protection of marine mammals.
Whale Seeker, founded by Emily Charry Tissier, has been included in the UNESCO International Research Center on Artificial Intelligence’s “Top 100 2025” list. Tissier expressed her pride in the company’s innovative approach, combining artificial intelligence with human expertise in an ethical manner to safeguard marine wildlife.
One of Whale Seeker’s groundbreaking tools, named Cetus, utilizes AI algorithms and satellite imagery to identify and categorize marine mammals across expansive and remote ocean areas. Tissier emphasized the significance of satellite images in monitoring vast oceanic regions, such as the challenging Arctic environment, where traditional exploration methods face limitations.
In a strategic collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Whale Seeker is embarking on a new initiative to study the migration patterns of bowhead whales in the Arctic. By gaining insights into the timing and routes of whale migration, this project aims to enhance maritime safety measures and mitigate the risk of ship-cetacean collisions, which are often fatal.
Notably, Whale Seeker previously received UNESCO recognition in 2023 for another innovative technology called Möbius. Unlike Cetus, Möbius employs aerial images captured by drones or aircraft to detect marine mammals, offering complementary capabilities in wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.
Through the deployment of these advanced technologies, Whale Seeker is contributing to the protection of marine biodiversity, enabling the maritime industry to make informed decisions to prevent harmful interactions with whales and reduce the impact of human activities on these majestic creatures.
