AI at the Intersection of Species Conservation and Climate Action

Event date:  15 December 2022

Humanity is at a crossroads. Climate change is here. Our planet’s biodiversity is under threat. It is time to act. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released in 2022, the scientific evidence strongly suggests that impacts on ecosystems, including changes in ecosystem structure, species range and timing of seasonal life cycles, can be attributed to climate change.

The risks associated with global warming indicate that severe and widespread impacts are expected for unique and threatened ecosystems and species. In addition, extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, heavy rain, drought and associated wildfires, and coastal flooding are increasing and their effects are driving local and regional changes, with cascading impacts at a global scale.

Can we harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool at the intersection of species conservation and climate change?

This AI for Good session was hosted by the Monash Data Futures Institute at Monash University. The event featured a keynote presentation by Professor Tanya Berger-Wolf from Ohio State University, followed by an interactive discussion and Q&A to explore the potential use of AI to tackle these global challenges, with a focus on participatory approaches to co-design solutions involving local communities, traditional owners, diverse and cross-sector stakeholders. The discussion included Professor Berger-Wolf and a panel of experts in the disciplines of Ecology, Conservation, Computer Science, Data Science, and Communications.

Moderator:

Professor Joanna Batstone,
Director, Monash Data Futures Institute

Keynote session:

Human-AI partnership for conservation: AI and humans combatting extinction together
by Professor Tanya Berger-Wolf
The Ohio State University, Co-founder and Director, Wild Me

Panelists:
  • Professor Bernd Meyer, Associate Dean, Sustainability, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University
  • Dr Iadine Chades, Activity Leader, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO
  • Dr John Cook, Climate Change Communication Research Hub, Monash University

About the Monash Data Futures Institute

As the gateway to Monash University’s excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science research, the Monash Data Futures Institute (MDFI) aims to foster transnational, interdisciplinary collaborations in the applications of AI and data science for good. The Institute brings together leading cross-disciplinary expertise, international partnerships and one of the largest cohorts of AI and data science researchers in the Asia-Pacific. MDFI researchers focus on advanced AI applications for health sciences, sustainable development, and governance & policy in support of Monash University’s three Global Challenges of the age: thriving communities, climate change and geopolitical security.

Monash Data Futures Institute is a gold sponsor for the ITU AI for Good Global Summit.