However, experts caution that the accuracy of these AI models depends on the quality of the data they are trained on. Dr Amy McGovern, a computer scientist at the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology, warns that areas with little historical flood data may be harder for AI to predict accurately. Despite this, she acknowledges that AI is generally improving flood prediction due to its greater computing power and ability to process data more quickly than standard computing.
Key takeaways:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used by several companies to predict and monitor floods, potentially saving lives and property.
- Companies like 7Analytics and Neara use AI to study weather patterns, geography, and infrastructure to predict flood risks and help authorities and businesses prepare.
- Google offers a free service called Flood Hub, which provides river flood warnings in over 80 countries, using AI to simulate potential flooding scenarios based on satellite images.
- While AI has proven beneficial in flood prediction, experts warn that the accuracy of these models depends on the quality of the data collected, and there is a need for responsible and ethical AI development.