How big tech and AI can make early warning systems more effective

-* The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is leading an initiative to ensure that every person in the world is protected by early warning systems within the next five years.

  • Big Tech companies are joining the WMO and other organizations in supporting this initiative.
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve the accuracy and timeliness of early warnings.
  • AI can also be used to make early warnings more accessible to people in vulnerable areas.

The private sector has a huge potential role to play in the achievement of Early Warnings for All, through leveraging the outreach of Big Tech and the power of Artificial Intelligence.

The World Meteorological Congress held two special dialogues dedicated to mapping the strengths and potential contribution from the private sector to the early warning-related capacity gaps in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

A high-level session of the Open Consultative Platform brought together the meteorological community with computer and mobile phone giants. A separate session examined Artificial Intelligence to support Early Warnings for All.

“A growing number of big IT companies are interested in contributing to Early Warnings for All,” said WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas. “The challenge of natural and man-made disasters and anthropogenic climate change and water resource impacts have to be tackled as a joint venture of the public and private sectors,” he said.

The upcoming strategic plan for 2024-2027 incorporates cutting-edge elements of AI to drive rapid progress in science and technology. One of the key aspects under consideration is implementing a pilot project for nowcasting, which will provide invaluable support for early warnings across various domains, said Prof. Taalas.

Lao People’s Democratic Republic, a landlocked, least developed country which is confronted with increasingly severe flooding. Early warnings require a robust computer and communication system for data assimilation and transmission, said Outhone Phetluangsy, Permanent Representative with WMO.

The Association of Hydro-Meteorological Equipment Industry (HMEI) can harness the innovation and solutions-oriented approach of its members. Private institutions can make a big contribution to protecting the public good, said Joshua Campbell, chair of HMEI.

Microsoft is committed to improve internet speed and accessibility and ensure that reliable and timely alerts from national meteorological and hydrological services can be disseminated by web browsers and desktop platforms. Artificial intelligence and high-resolution satellites can be used to map at risk populations and in post-disaster damage assessment – as was the case in the earthquake in Turkey this year.

“This can enhance national and community responses during a disaster. When we work together we can get more done,” said Chris Sharrock, VP UN and international affairs.

Google wants to cooperate with WMO in pilot countries on floods and currently is working with the WMO co-sponsored Global Heat Health Information Network to tackle extreme heat and inform people how to stay safe and protect themselves.

“We see unprecedented progress on AI to make strides in Early Warnings For All,” said Yossi Matias, Vice-President, Engineering & Research at Google.

Amazon is committed to leveraging the power of the Cloud for global early warning systems. It is supporting the new WMO Information System 2.0 (WIS 2.0), which is the framework for Earth Systems (meteorological, hydrological, climate and ocean) data sharing in the 21st century. It is based on the principle that no Member should be left behind, said Nelson Gonzalez, head of global impact computing at Amazon Web Services.

Meta has had disaster response features since 2014, reaching millions of people in communities impacted by crises across 125 countries. It has safety check alerts, crisis pages, community help, information from first responders and nonprofit fundraisers, said Kaushik Sethuraman, Head of Programs, Social Impact at Meta.

Alibaba uses cloud innovation and AI to assist in disaster prevention and reduction, with a focus on Asia – for instance to support the recall of fishing vessels in typhoon weather, cleaning up rivers in flood season and to promote urban safety.

“We are committed to join WMO and Early Warnings For All to save more lives for the good of humanity together,” said Ye Huang, a general manager for Europe with Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.

PM