Researchers in Colorado are using artificial intelligence (AI) to fine-tune crop production in the drought-challenged Colorado River Basin, with the aim of optimizing water resources and improving agricultural practices for long-term sustainability in the region. The project, funded by the US Department of Agriculture, seeks to use AI algorithms to analyze data collected on crops, soil conditions, and weather patterns, enabling farmers to adjust their irrigation practices and achieve better crop yields with less water.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is seen as a positive development in terms of addressing environmental challenges, but there are concerns about AI's own carbon footprint due to energy-intensive processes such as data training and computer hardware production.
Artificial intelligence can improve climate modeling predictions by generating large ensembles of moderately high-resolution simulations that learn from observational and simulated data, leading to more accurate and usable climate predictions for risk assessment.
Artificial intelligence technology is being used to monitor and conserve species in rainforests, offering hope for the survival of declining species impacted by global warming, deforestation, and development. The AI platform Arbimom analyzes audio recordings collected from rainforests, allowing for faster and more efficient analysis of species behavior, habitat changes, and threats.
Machine learning has the potential to aid climate action by providing insights and optimizing sustainability efforts, but researchers must address challenges related to data, computing resources, and the environmental impact of AI.
Google is introducing updates to its search results and expanding its AI tools to assist individuals and policymakers in reducing emissions, predicting natural disasters, and living more sustainable lives, as part of its renewed effort to address climate change and its impacts.
DeepMind, the Google-owned AI lab, is using artificial intelligence to tackle climate change by helping understand climate change through prediction and monitoring, optimizing existing systems and infrastructure, and accelerating breakthrough science, such as nuclear fusion. The lab also acknowledges the carbon footprint of AI and aims to deploy carbon-efficient solutions. However, access to data and collaboration with domain experts are key roadblocks in utilizing AI to fight climate change, and safety considerations are addressed by working closely with experts in the respective fields. Overall, the techno-optimist view is that AI can be a transformative tool to solve climate change problems quickly and at scale.
Researchers propose a synergy between AI and ecology, with the belief that ecology can inspire resilient AI and AI can address global ecological challenges, bridging the gap between the two disciplines.
The risks posed by artificial intelligence must be treated as seriously as the climate crisis, and immediate action is needed to address those risks, according to Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google's AI unit. Hassabis suggests that oversight of the AI industry could start with a body similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being increasingly used to monitor biodiversity and aid in the protection of endangered species by analyzing large amounts of data quickly and effectively. AI tools can identify animal species from audio recordings and camera footage, as well as model the impacts of human activities on ecosystems and reconstruct historical changes to understand biodiversity loss. AI has the potential to accelerate important discoveries in protecting endangered species, but environmental impact assessments should be considered in AI risk management.
