UPDATE: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has just been awarded $2 million from the Bezos Earth Fund to develop groundbreaking AI solutions aimed at protecting coral reefs worldwide. This significant funding, announced earlier today, is part of the Bezos Earth Fund’s AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge, a $100 million initiative launched to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
WCS plans to utilize artificial intelligence and citizen science to transform coral reef monitoring, aiming to identify and protect the most climate-resilient reefs globally. This project is vital, as coral reefs are crucial for biodiversity, coastal communities, and the ambitious global 30×30 conservation goals that seek to protect 30% of Earth’s land and ocean by 2030.
“This award helps us turn AI innovation into real-world conservation impact,” stated Dr. Emily Darling, Director of Coral Reef Conservation at WCS. “With support from the Bezos Earth Fund, we’re advancing foundational AI models for coral reef monitoring and inviting divers and citizen scientists everywhere to join the effort to map, monitor, and protect the reefs most likely to survive climate change.”
The initiative will work in over 50 countries and aims to integrate global citizen science apps, build an open-source AI model capable of identifying over 100 coral species, and generate real-time maps of climate-resilient reefs. These tools will empower local scientists, communities, and governments with the critical data needed to safeguard reefs that are essential for coastal livelihoods and biodiversity.
Dr. Amen Ra Mashariki, Director of AI and Data Strategies at the Bezos Earth Fund, emphasized the importance of responsible AI development: “These projects show how AI, when developed responsibly and guided by science and local knowledge, can strengthen environmental action and ensure its overall impact on the planet is positive.”
The WCS’s partnership with MERMAID AI, a platform dedicated to coral reef data management, will accelerate monitoring efforts and policy impacts globally. “Our goal is to make advanced AI tools accessible to every scientist and diver working to protect coral reefs,” said Kim Fisher, Lead Software Engineer for MERMAID. The project’s innovative approach aims to enhance coral reef conservation efforts, which are increasingly vital in the face of climate change.
Dr. Stacy Jupiter, Executive Director of WCS’s Global Marine Program, noted, “Our science is already showing that there are coral reefs around the world that can withstand even extreme climate impacts. As a key pillar of our newly launched Coral Reef Strategy, WCS is excited to harness the power of cutting-edge computing technology to help identify more of these high integrity climate-resilient reefs for targeted management action.”
With this funding, WCS is set to revolutionize how coral reefs are monitored and protected, making a profound impact on conservation efforts worldwide. For further information, visit newsroom.wcs.org or follow them on social media at @WCSNewsroom.
Stay tuned for more updates as this critical conservation project unfolds.
