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AI and satellites help aid workers respond to Myanmar earthquake damage

Mar 31, 2025 - financialpost.com
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Mandalay, Myanmar, prompting the use of AI and satellite technology to assess damage quickly. Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, in collaboration with Planet Labs, utilized satellite imagery to evaluate the extent of destruction, identifying 515 buildings with severe damage and 1,524 with moderate damage. The analysis, which faced initial challenges due to cloud cover, was crucial for directing aid efforts, although Microsoft emphasized the need for on-the-ground verification.

The AI-assisted assessment provided critical information to aid organizations like the Red Cross, helping them prioritize areas in need of immediate assistance. This approach, previously used in other disasters like Libya’s flooding and Los Angeles wildfires, required a customized AI model due to the unique nature of each disaster and location. The data from Planet Labs’ satellites, which have been capturing images of affected areas in Myanmar and Thailand, continues to support relief operations.

Key takeaways:

  • AI and satellite technology are being used to assess earthquake damage in Mandalay, Myanmar.
  • Cloud cover initially hindered the satellite imagery process, but images were eventually captured by Planet Labs.
  • Microsoft's AI for Good Lab customized an AI model to analyze the damage, identifying 515 buildings with severe damage.
  • The analysis is shared with aid organizations like the Red Cross to assist in relief efforts, though on-the-ground verification is needed.
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