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Date: March 22, 2024

Researchers at Google have developed AI capabilities that can predict and warn authorities about floods and larger world events.

Amid rising controversies about artificial intelligence's negative impact, healthcare innovations are balancing the opinion. Google, a tech giant heavily invested in AI, recently partnered with Apollo Hospitals Group to develop early disease detection with AI. The tech giant’s researchers are now building AI-powered capabilities to predict floods and water body behavior patterns.

Google's research team published a paper in Nature that illuminates its advancements in harnessing AI to detect floods early. Machine Learning is being used as the core intelligence to create hydrological simulation models that can be tested on basins yet to be gauged. The team utilizes a world-class technology called Global Flood Awareness System version 4 (GloFAS). The European Centre also uses this technology for medium-range weather forecasts.

This innovation in AI technology has opened pathways for early prediction of larger natural events like a Tsunami, potentially saving millions of lives and physical damages. The VP of Engineering & Research at Google, Yossi Matias, said, “The flood forecasting initiative is part of Adaptation and Resilience efforts and reflects Google’s commitment to address climate change while helping global communities become more resilient. We believe that AI and ML will continue to play a critical role in helping advance science and research towards climate action.”

The technology has reached a development stage where it can predict floods 7 days early with maximum accuracy. Researchers have trained the AI model on long short-term memory networks across 5680 streamflow gauges using random k-fold cross-ventilation. The Flood system can now provide predictions 7 days earlier for rivers covering 80+ countries.

While the fear of AI’s risk to humankind is at its peak, the actual developments do not match the dark expectations. AI has showcased its potential in the better-for-human aspect much more than it has caused harm. 

By Arpit Dubey

Arpit is a dreamer, wanderer, and a tech nerd who loves to jot down tech musings and updates. With a logician mind, he is always chasing sunrises and tech advancements while secretly preparing for the robot uprising.