What’s Next for OpenWater: A First Look at the Future

At our July 2025 webinar, we shared an exciting glimpse into the future of OpenWater. From a long-awaited design refresh to AI-powered workflows and new participant tools, here’s what’s on the horizon.

A Brand-New User Experience (Q3 2025)

The most anticipated update is almost here: OpenWater’s new user experience. For many long-time clients, the interface hasn’t changed in years – but that’s about to shift.

The redesign will deliver:

• A modern, mobile-friendly design with improved performance
• More intuitive navigation, with spacing, contrast, and icons that make it easier to find what you need
• The ability to toggle between the old and new UI, so you can ease into the change at your own pace

Before release, the new UX will go through an internal trial period to identify and fix bugs. Once complete, all users will gain access.

Here’s a sneak peek:

AI-Powered Features (Q4 2025)

Artificial intelligence will soon become part of the OpenWater toolkit. Later this year, you’ll see AI integrated into:

• Scoring – helping reviewers make faster, more consistent evaluations
• Summaries – generating concise overviews of content submissions
• Translations – streamlining multilingual program management

A deeper dive into AI capabilities will be featured at Innovations 2025, hosted by our parent company ASI this September.

New Integration: Clowder (Q4 2025)

We’re also building a Clowder integration, making it easier to connect OpenWater with engagement tools you already use.

Participant Manager for Abstract Programs (Q1 2026)

One of the most requested features from our abstract clients is finally in development: the Participant Manager. Launching in early 2026, it will help you:

• Capture detailed participant information
• Send pre-event to-do lists
• Schedule reminder emails automatically
• Generate reports and build a dynamic Participant Index

Looking Ahead

While 2025 has been a little lighter on feature releases, it’s for a good reason – the team has been focused on building a better, smarter, and more modern OpenWater. With these changes, we’re confident the platform will be more intuitive, more powerful, and better aligned with the way you work.

Laura Rudd

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