Uncertainty-aware AI & Offshore Sailing: digiLab to continue pushing the boundaries of AI at sea with Next Step Racing

This year, we are taking things to the next level as we continue to explore the possibilities of AI at sea, building on our partnership with Next Step Racing.

Last summer, offshore sailing became a proving ground for our next-generation AI when we partnered with Joss Creswell and Charlie Warhurst, sailors of Next Step Racing. Together, we optimised performance in the 2025 Defi Paprec, a rigorous offshore race, and explored how uncertainty-aware machine learning could be applied in one of the most unpredictable environments on Earth.

But this year, we are taking it to the Next Step - by combining next generation AI with the ultimate test of offshore racing: solo sailing.

Next-Generation AI Meets Solo Offshore Racing

This season, Joss Creswell will take on multiple major races, sailing single-handed, including the pinnacle of solo racing: La Solitaire du Figaro.

Competitive single-handed offshore racing is the ultimate challenge - physically, mentally, and technically. It requires strength and self-reliance with the sailors having to make small real-time decisions when the pressure is on and the stakes are high.

Offshore racing generates vast amounts of information, but more data doesn’t automatically translate to better decisions. Our focus this year is on turning that complexity into something usable, so preparation becomes more structured, deliberate and repeatable. The aim isn’t to replace the sailor’s judgement, but to support it.

A major part of race preparation is how to deal with uncertainty. Behind the scenes, we are already developing tools that will allow Joss to explore different scenarios ahead of time, so when conditions change at sea he can respond with confidence and make decisions from experience, rather than guesswork.

Joss is already out on the water training for the season ahead. He shared: “Solo sailing is the ultimate challenge. I have always drawn on the team for strength and motivation, so solo sailing will represent a good test of my willpower and mental fortitude. Competitive single handed offshore racing is all about preparation and honing the boat’s systems. It gives the sailor the space to make small real time decisions and focus on boat speed.

I’m excited to be working with digiLab's expert research team to create solutions that will take away unnecessary work and allow for clear decision making and performance in critical situations.”

Navigating toward a greener future

By treating offshore racing as a proving ground, we are helping chart a path toward a more efficient, more sustainable maritime future. We are laying the groundwork for applications that reach far beyond racing - from making shipping more efficient and sustainable, to making wind farms more effective.

As we continue to develop and refine these solutions, we will be sharing how decision-making evolves when uncertainty is considered. In the end, it’s not just about winning races. It’s about sharpening instincts with technology and ensuring that every marginal gain on the water contributes to the global race to decarbonise the seas.