Tackling the complexity of climate change with artificial intelligence.
Climate change is a complex challenge, which interconnects environmental, climatic and anthropogenic, as well as economic and social factors. Artificial intelligence, thanks to its ability to analyze huge amounts of data, detect patterns and models and predict new ones, can be essential to address this challenge.
One of the most interesting examples is the project that Google has developed together with the DeepMind team: a Machine Learning system that will improve the energy efficiency of Google’s data centers. Thanks to this program, Google was able to reduce energy consumption for plant cooling by 40%. An exceptional number that reflects the ability of artificial intelligence to provide concrete help in managing energy consumption.
Optimization of renewable energy with artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence within the challenge against climate change can do much more than increase energy efficiency. This technology, in fact, can also address the big problem of variability in the production of renewable energy due to weather conditions. IBM, for example, with its “Watson for Water” project, collaborates with the energy sector, using artificial intelligence to improve weather forecasts and adapt wind and solar energy production in real time based on them. This project maximizes energy production from renewable sources and mitigates risks due to grid instability. Siemens has also made its contribution in the sector, with its Grid Edge project, which optimizes the integration of clean energy into electricity grids thanks to artificial intelligence, improving stability and reducing harmful emissions.
Advanced environmental monitoring
As we have already mentioned, artificial intelligence is not only capable of monitoring conditions in real time, but it can also go further by predicting future events and planning proactive and no longer solely reactive interventions.
For example, the giant Microsoft, with its AI for Earth, uses artificial intelligence to monitor biodiversity and climate change at a global level, and already has various ongoing collaborations with NGOs and research centers to develop even more effective predictive tools. Google also does its part in this field by collaborating with Rainforest Connection. In this project, they use solar-powered devices and real-time audio analysis to prevent and control illegal logging activities. In this way it was possible to carry out rapid and effective interventions in critical geographical regions, which made it possible to significantly reduce deforestation.
Artificial intelligence and climate modeling
Current climate models combine notions of physics and statistics, but artificial intelligence will soon definitively transform this field. In fact, we could use artificial intelligence to create neural models which, by learning from historical data, can make more accurate, specific, complex and complete climate predictions. Around the world, researchers are working on the Climate Change AI project, an initiative that uses neural networks to support political and industrial decisions in synergy with climate conditions.
Another example of advanced use of AI for climate management comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is developing algorithms based mainly on Deep Learning that improve the accuracy of weather and climate prediction models. This will enable better resource planning and more effective preparation against natural disasters.
The future of artificial intelligence in climate change mitigation
Artificial intelligence is therefore revolutionizing the way in which it is possible to face the challenge of climate change, improving efficiency and proactive and prudent management of resources. Ethical and environmental challenges accompany this journey, and it will be essential to address them. If we do so, however, the potential for artificial intelligence to win the fight against climate change will be valuable and significant.