Elizabeth Gray, the CEO of the National Audubon Society, has spent decades working on conservation. She notes one major hurdle: tracking how well efforts to protect species and habitats are actually working.
Now, there’s a promising project backed by the Bezos Earth Fund. It aims to use artificial intelligence (AI) and remote monitoring to gather data on protected species. Gray explains that they will place sensors in newly protected areas to record birdsong using bioacoustics. This data will help in assessing biodiversity and the effectiveness of management strategies.
Gray shared with Newsweek, “This data allows us to monitor biodiversity and see how well we’re managing reserves.” The funding is part of a larger initiative where the Bezos Earth Fund distributed $30 million among projects focused on climate and environmental issues. AI can play a positive role here, as per Amen Ra Mashariki, director of AI at the fund. He states, “We’re focused on making AI work for the environment, not the other way around.”
The projects also tackle various conservation challenges, including preventing illegal fishing and mapping vital habitats. Notably, two projects, including Audubon’s, specifically target bird habitats in Latin America. Gray emphasizes the importance of local community involvement in this work. “They are our best allies in protecting these areas,” she adds.
Additionally, Holger Klinck, who oversees the Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at Cornell University, is involved in two projects funded by the Bezos Earth Fund. One involves deploying 1,000 microphones across Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands. He highlights how AI enhances the process of sifting through the collected data. “With AI, we can analyze a vast amount of sound data quickly—something that would usually take years,” Klinck points out.
The other Cornell project in Guatemala will use AI to monitor areas for illegal activities like logging. In this case, AI acts almost like a forest ranger, providing near-instant alerts about activities like gunshots or chainsaws.
Interestingly, these projects are built on edge AI technology. Unlike traditional AI, which often relies on centralized data centers, edge AI operates right on the devices in the field. This not only makes deployment simpler but also significantly lowers energy use. Given the environmental concerns surrounding the high energy demands of traditional data centers, this shift is crucial.
Mashariki summed it up during a panel discussion when he compared the journey of AI to a hero’s journey: facing challenges and ultimately becoming beneficial. “We all have to be part of that journey,” he said.
In a world where climate change is on everyone’s mind, the intersection of technology and conservation offers a glimpse of hope. Gray believes the combination of technology and community engagement could redefine conservation efforts moving forward.
For further insights, you can explore the complete details of the Bezos Earth Fund and its initiatives here.
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AI,Environment,Jeff Bezos,Climate Change,data centers,Better Planet,Birds,Nature
