Can Smarter Cables Keep the Seas Safe?

AI-driven sensing is turning US subsea networks into early-warning systems

20 Nov 2025

AI-enabled cable sensing is drawing wider interest in the US as telecom groups, energy developers and security officials explore new ways to monitor the subsea systems that carry much of the world’s data and power.

Momentum increased after researchers showed that existing fibre-optic cables can detect nearby vessels and underwater movement when paired with artificial intelligence. The work comes as operators face rising demand for uninterrupted connectivity from cloud services, AI applications and geopolitical pressures. Some analysts describe the technique as a major step forward in situational awareness, offering companies an added layer of protection against accidental damage or targeted interference.

Technology providers such as AP Sensing are testing tools that interpret small vibrations on the seabed to highlight unusual activity in real time. Large technology companies, including Google, continue to expand transoceanic cable capacity to manage heavier traffic, though these investments focus on overall network robustness rather than specific security threats. A Google network strategist said that “more critical information crosses oceans each day”, adding that supporting infrastructure must evolve in line with that shift.

Analysts note that cross-sector collaboration is accelerating adoption. New cables built for offshore power projects and next-generation data centres are being designed with early-warning features to limit outages. This approach is influencing coordination between cable owners, maritime authorities and federal agencies, which are forming partnerships centred on resilience and rapid response.

Challenges persist. Many sensing systems remain in trial phases and require repeaters or listening stations at intervals of about 100km, leaving gaps in coverage. Experts caution that AI tools supplement, rather than replace, traditional monitoring and must address data-handling demands and false alarms. Still, sentiment in the industry is broadly positive. One ocean infrastructure analyst said subsea networks were entering a period in which they could “identify risks before they become disruptive”.

With investment rising and global reliance on digital links at record levels, operators expect AI-assisted monitoring to shift from emerging technology to standard practice in the coming years.