The United States National Guard's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) will be using Project Bellwether's "prediction engine". The current technology can delay response times by hours or days, causing significant damage to human life and property. The partnership with the National Guard could be a significant validation of Google's ongoing work in using machine learning models and AI to predict natural disasters.
Key takeaways:
- Alphabet's moonshot factory X has unveiled Project Bellwether, which aims to use AI tools to identify natural disasters like wildfires and flooding as quickly as possible.
- The project's goal is to help organizations, communities, and businesses anticipate changes across the planet and ask more timely questions about the natural and built environment.
- The United States National Guard’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) will be utilizing Project Bellwether’s “prediction engine” to improve response times to natural disasters.
- Project Bellwether has produced two tools so far: one to forecast the risk of wildfire up to five years into the future, and another to help first responders identify critical infrastructure in the wake of a natural disaster or extreme weather.