Artificial intelligence is being used to address challenges in various fields such as climate, wildfires, agriculture, and health. Experts from universities, government agencies, and industry came together at the Washington State Academy of Sciences’ annual symposium in Seattle to discuss their research and the implications of AI policy and regulations. Deborah Gracio from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory emphasized AI’s capacity to analyze data, identify patterns, and generate predictive models to advance climate science and inform policy decisions. Benjamin Richards from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) highlighted the use of AI in predictive modeling for hazardous environmental events and weather applications.
One important project mentioned by Richards involved using coastal imagery and beach webcams combined with machine learning to better predict dangerous rip currents with higher accuracy than human observations. Additionally, AI was being used to analyze water samples and forecast toxic levels of algal blooms that affect shellfish harvesting, as well as automate surveys of commercial fish in Alaska. The panel discussions at the symposium focused on the potential of AI to explore, discover, and understand various scientific disciplines.
Ananth Kalyanaraman, director of the AgAID Institute at Washington State University, was part of a panel discussing the application of AI in agriculture. Washington farmers grow a variety of crops that are high value and require significant labor and irrigation. AI technologies are being used in projects such as developing robots for thinning fruit trees and targeted spraying of pesticides, predicting grape plant growth and development, and forecasting water availability for crops. Kalyanaraman emphasized the importance of understanding the strengths of humans and machines and working in partnership to optimize results.
The use of AI in agriculture and the potential benefits of implementing these technologies were discussed at the symposium. By incorporating AI into various aspects of farming practices, researchers hope to improve crop yields, reduce labor costs, and mitigate environmental impact. This includes using neural networks to predict crop resilience to weather conditions, creating digital models for crop irrigation, and developing simulations to optimize tree growth and pruning techniques. The partnership between humans and machines is seen as essential in leveraging the full potential of AI technology in agriculture.
Overall, the discussions at the Washington State Academy of Sciences’ symposium highlighted the potential of AI to address complex challenges in climate, agriculture, and other fields. By harnessing the power of AI to analyze vast data sets, predict outcomes, and inform decision-making, researchers are hopeful that meaningful change can be achieved. The symposium served as a platform for experts to share their research, discuss policy implications, and explore new opportunities for utilizing AI technologies in various scientific disciplines.
