A coalition of international organizations has announced the launch of an innovative contest aimed at leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to combat the adverse effects of climate change.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the World Bank, introduced the competition at the AI for Good Global Summit 2023 in Geneva. AI for Good is a digital platform that serves as a hub for AI innovators to collaborate and develop practical AI applications aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
The IAEA, renowned for its expertise in nuclear science, has been assisting countries in adapting to climate change by employing isotopic techniques to optimize water usage for agriculture in regions experiencing water scarcity. Additionally, nuclear-derived technologies have facilitated the creation of climate-resilient crops through accelerated plant mutation processes.
AI solutions to solve climate change challenges
The contest focuses on encouraging startups to develop AI solutions that address the impact of climate change on food security and sustainable water resources. The startups have been advised to leverage AI’s capabilities to analyze vast sets of scientific data to enhance soil and water management practices and improve resilience to climate change impacts. This initiative will help secure a more sustainable future for the planet.
“This contest marks a significant milestone in our UN system-wide collective efforts to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change,” said Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director General and head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. “The contest will be a launchpad for AI-driven solutions that have the potential to revolutionize our approach to climate change”.
The winners of the competition will be offered opportunities for business matchmaking and mentoring, along with the prospect of presenting their innovative ideas to a global audience at COP28, the annual UN climate conference being held in the UAE this year.
Problems for startups to solve
The experts have identified five problems for contestants to solve in the areas of food and climate-smart agriculture and water resource management. The solutions should be based on a combination of data collected from infrared spectroscopy, gamma spectrometry techniques, satellite imagery, and cosmic ray neutron sensors
- How can AI help assess soil properties across large areas?
- How can AI help map and monitor soil moisture levels?
- How can AI complement the Earth Map to assist users in identifying water-related challenges in specific areas and provide useful insights and analyses of water resources?
- How can AI help identify water resources vulnerable to climate change and support flood and drought forecasting and early warning?
- How can AI be integrated into isotope hydrology studies to support water management and mitigate the world’s water problems?
Application and selection process
Phase 1: Startups submit their innovative ideas here. The submissions will be evaluated by a jury of technical and business experts and selected ones will advance to the second phase. Phase 1 deadline is August 31, 2023
Phase 2: Between September and November 2023, the selected startups will be invited to live pitching sessions where the jury will evaluate and select their proposals. The winning teams will be invited to present their AI-powered solutions to a global audience at COP28. More information about the contest can be found here.
