The India Meteorological Department (IMD) plans to integrate AI into its network of observation stations, expecting to generate higher-quality forecast data at a lower cost. The IMD has already used AI for public alerts about heatwaves and diseases like malaria, and plans to enhance weather observatories for data collection at the village level. The government also plans to establish a dedicated centre to explore the use of AI in weather models. However, experts warn that high-resolution data is crucial for optimising AI's capabilities in weather forecasting.
Key takeaways:
- India is turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve its climate models and enhance weather predictions, as the country faces increasing extreme weather events.
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) plans to integrate AI into its network of observation stations, expecting to generate higher-quality forecast data at a lower cost.
- The IMD has already used AI for public alerts about heatwaves and diseases like malaria, and plans to improve weather observatories for data collection at the village level.
- Experts emphasize that high-resolution data is crucial for optimizing AI's capabilities in weather forecasting, and AI models can be more cost-effective than supercomputers, potentially operating on standard desktop systems.