Coastal Assembly Uses AI to Reverse Maldives Beach Erosion

Coastal Assembly, a public benefit company spun off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is utilizing artificial intelligence and satellite data to combat coastal erosion in the Maldives. The company analyzes a decade of ocean currents and imagery to design submerged hexagonal structures composed of marine concrete, sand, and crushed shells. These structures are engineered to harness currents to accumulate sediment naturally.

A pilot project at Kaafu Atoll demonstrated the technology's effectiveness, extending a beach by approximately 90 feet and creating a new sandbar containing over 30,000 cubic feet of sand within six months. The installation also fostered new coral growth and created habitats for marine wildlife. Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed endorsed the technology as a viable alternative to traditional concrete sea walls.

Following the success of the pilot, Coastal Assembly plans 10 additional installations in the Maldives. The company is also expanding its operations to include projects in the Bahamas, Boston Harbor, and Miami. The technology is intended as a low-cost, nature-based alternative to dredging and sea walls for vulnerable coastal communities worldwide.