Satellites and artificial intelligence are being used to monitor the Mediterranean, find ships operated by migrant smugglers and discover illegal fishing activities. The initiative is part of the project ”Advanced Maritime Targets Recognition from SAR images exploiting target’s micro motions and AI”, funded with 70,000 euros through the platform ”The Open Space Innovation” of ESA (European Space Agency). The project will involve a team of Italian and foreign universities over the next three years, including the Università Niccolò Cusano. The new technology will allow to monitor and identify vessels operating illegally in the Mediterranean to prevent, for example, excessive fishing or illegal immigration: ships operated by smugglers will be more easily detected by coast guards and the Navy.