OceanInference: a novel platform for ML-based ocean forecast and analysis

OceanInference is a platform for hosting and operating AI-based ocean forecasting systems. It provides a unified environment for deploying machine-learning models and producing comprehensive ocean forecasts at scale, supporting a variety of applications from research to operational decision-making. The platform integrates advanced post-processing and analysis to generate derived ocean products, transforming model outputs into actionable information. This includes diagnostics and indicators relevant to diverse oceanographic phenomena, providing users with insights beyond standard forecasts. By combining model operation with automated production of higher-level ocean information, OceanInference enables streamlined access to forecasts and derived products within a single, scalable, and flexible framework. Designed to accommodate a wide range of AI models and future developments on the European Digital Twin of the Ocean, OceanInference aims to accelerate the adoption of machine-learning approaches in oceanography while providing reliable and ready-to-use ocean information for scientific, environmental, and operational purposes.