How Machine Learning Can Save Oceanic and Plant Life
Climate change and illegal fishing have all contributed to the decline of many ocean life, in the past 10 years. Unregulated and illegal fishing in some countries such as China has created a massive problem where species are being depleted at an alarming rate, approximately 26 million tons a year. However technological advances in areas such as machine learning and AI are helping save a life in the ocean.
Machine Learning can be a great way to understand and identify which species are in critical danger of extinction, and therefore use government resources to prevent overfishing of those species. Cameras can be used to record the type of species that are currently endangered, and machine learning is used to track which species are unique.
Most of the information collected is used to protect and make sure species are being tracked by conservationists and animal rights groups. They can detect and receive information about the species such as where it originated from, where it’s trying to go, and if they travel as part of a group or if they travel solo, and how they communicate with other species.
A website called WildBrook allows users from all over the world to submit images about different oceanic species to the site, and machine learning algorithms can identify any species that are unique user data that is inputted into the model-based system. Microsoft AI is used to track and identify any species in the world instantly. This allows conservation groups to better form policies to protect these species from going into extinction.
Another use for AI includes protecting forest inventory. Forest inventory is being depleted at an alarming rate due to deforestation, and wildfires. Artificial intelligence is being used to prevent illegal logging practices by creating maps of the forest, modeled the cost of the security resources needed, and determined the best cost-benefit analysis of their research. These types of research can protect national parks, and understand the actions that need to take place in order for forest habitats to continue to thrive.
AI has a big impact and will change the world. We need to understand that as a species, our job is to protect other species around us, no matter how less of an impact they may have on our lives. Technology is becoming smarter every day and by using technology such as AI and machine learning we can take the first step in protecting the species that need our help, and I hope one day every species in the world has a place to grow, thrive, and pass on it’s life to the next generation.
Resources:
https://www.gotscience.org/2016/05/saving-forests-artificial-intelligence/
