00:00A beach in the Maldives reportedly grew 90 feet in just six months, without importing sand.
00:05The unusual experiment uses artificial intelligence to help the ocean rebuild an eroding shoreline.
00:11Coastal Assembly, a company that grew out of MIT research, installed 54 underwater concrete structures near a resort.
00:19Its software analyzes satellite images, ocean currents, waves and the shape of the seabed.
00:24That information helps engineers position the structures to change how water moves and where sand settles.
00:31As waves pass over the reef-like formation, some sediment can accumulate near the shore instead of being carried away.
00:38The company reports that the beach has doubled in size.
00:41While marine life has begun colonizing the structures, but there's an important catch.
00:46A successful project in the Maldives doesn't prove the same design will protect American beaches.
00:51Researchers still need to monitor nearby shorelines for possible unintended erosion.
00:56If longer-term results hold up, this approach could offer coastal communities another option beyond pumping in sand or building
01:04hard barriers.
01:06Disclosure. This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
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