- Google has partnered with NOAA and NESDIS
- They will use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- NOAA’s satellite and environmental data will be applied for predictions
Artificial Intelligence has already started making an impact on our society and technology. It has been actively used in climate predictions and weather forecasts. Taking this a step further, Google, who already has launched numerous programs, has launched an AI-partnership with NOAA and NESDIS. NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And NESDIS means National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information.
Under the agreement with Google, NOAA’s satellites, and information service NESDIS, will explore the benefits of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The ML/AI algorithms will be used to enhance NOAA’s use of satellite and environment data. This Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement length will be three years. Google and NESDIS will apply AI/ML to amplify NOAA’s environmental monitoring, weather forecasting, climate research, and tech innovation.
In the view of NOAA administrator, Dr. Neil Jacobs, strengthening of the NOAA’s data processing is critical for public safety and the economy. It is critical to maintain and enhance performance through the use of big data, AI, ML, and other advanced analytical approaches.
“I am excited to utilize new authorities granted to NOAA to pursue cutting-edge technologies that will enhance our mission and better protect lives and property.”
Research Focus
The research will primarily focus on the development of small-scale ML/AI systems. The NOAA and Google Cloud Offsite link, according to the results, will then focus on full-scale prototypes. NOAA can also ultimately operationalize them across its organization, if successful. This promises a significant leap in NOAA’s ability to leverage its voluminous and diverse environmental data. It will help in enhancing predictions, such as those for weather events like tornadoes or hurricanes.
The Google Cloud, Global Public Sector, vice president, Mike Daniels, states that bringing together NOAA and Google’s expertise and talent will be a major boost. With combined resources and joint exploration of AI/ML methods, they can achieve more effective use of satellite and environmental data. According to Daniels, the goal of this project is to increase the scientific impact on the efforts and approach of NOAA. With Google Cloud’s infrastructure, environmental and satellite data can be effectively and efficiently utilized with ML/AI. Thus it will unlock innovation, research, and improve weather forecasting.
The agreement will also provide hands-on AI training opportunities to the NOAA workforce. Under its AI strategy, it aims to infuse new tech and approaches to increase efficiency and skills through partnership. NOAA’s data strategy will dramatically accelerate the use of data across the agency and with its partners.
