THE CATALYST

With all the noise lately about the boom of AI, how can we leverage this technology to solve complex environmental issues?

AI will play a significant role in environmental engineering, helping to address complex problems related to sustainability, climate change, and environmental conservation. AI can convert real-world complexities into predictable models, aiding in the creation of smart and sustainable cities, and addressing issues like air and water pollution, climate change, and sustainable infrastructure.

Several companies are already leveraging AI to tackle environmental challenges. Google DeepMind, IBM, Tesla, Microsoft, Descartes Labs, Blue River Technology (a subsidiary of John Deere), Carbon Engineering, and Xylem are among the top companies using AI to optimize energy consumption, predict extreme weather events, revolutionize transportation, protect biodiversity, combat deforestation, enhance agricultural sustainability, capture carbon emissions, manage water resources, monitor air quality, and preserve marine ecosystems.

For instance, KoBold Metals uses AI to make mining more efficient, helping to find new sources of lithium, cobalt, copper, and nickel, which are key materials in battery manufacturing.

Blue River Technology, a subsidiary of John Deere, uses AI-driven machinery to enhance crop management, contributing to environmental advantages in the agriculture industry.

IBM’s Environmental Intelligence Suite, an AI-powered Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, helps in forecasting and addressing the impacts of weather and climate.

Startups are also harnessing AI to address climate change. For example, Eugenie.ai is an emission intelligence platform designed to help manufacturers in the oil and gas industries decarbonize their operations. The platform combines data from satellite images with machine learning to help companies track, trace, and reduce emissions.

In summary, AI will be a transformative force in environmental engineering, offering innovative solutions to complex environmental problems.

Author: Mohamed Hersi, Licensed Environmental Engineer (P.E.)