The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is partnering with Google to explore the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for enhancing NOAA’s use of satellite and environmental data. Under a three-year Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement signed with Google, NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service (NESDIS) with collaborate with Google to pilot specific AI- and ML-related projects to amplify NOAA’s environmental monitoring, weather forecasting, climate research, and technical innovation.
The work will initially focus on developing small-scale AI/ML systems, offering hands-on AI training opportunities to the NOAA workforce. As the results unfold, the two organizations will then focus on executing full-scale prototypes that NOAA could ultimately operationalize across its organization.
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The partnership
“Strengthening NOAA’s data processing through the use of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and other advanced analytical approaches is critical for maintaining and enhancing the performance of our systems in support of public safety and the economy,” Acting NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs said in a statement on Tuesday. “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.”
This has the potential to significantly boost NOAA’s ability to leverage the enormous volume and diversity of environmental data to enhance prediction, including for extreme weather events such as hurricanes and tornadoes.
Mike Daniels, Vice President, Global Public Sector, Google Cloud, also believes that the partnership brings together NOAA and Google’s expertise and talent in respective fields, which can “achieve a more effective use of satellite and other environmental data”. “Our goal is to increase scientific impact, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental and satellite data by leveraging Google Cloud’s infrastructure and AI/ML know-how. All this will help improve weather forecasting, research and unlock innovation,” he added.
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NOAA’s AI strategy
Earlier in the year in February, NOAA unveiled an AI/ML strategy and a Data Strategy to significantly accelerate the use of data across the agency and with other key partners, maximize openness and transparency, deliver on mission, and steward resources while protecting quality, integrity, security, privacy, and confidentiality.
The intent is very clear about infusing new technologies and approaches to increase efficiency and skills through partnerships, training, and AI-related research and development. The new strategy aligns with the President’s Executive Order on Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence and the 2019 Update to the National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan. It also supports provisions in the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 20173 and its 2019 reauthorization, as well as the Commercial Engagement Through Ocean Technology (CENOTE) Act of 2018.
Google in AI
Meanwhile, Google is already working in this field and has made significant progress. Existing Google AI research in weather includes hyperlocal precipitation forecasting, especially in the short term, while Search in India and Bangladesh issues ML-backed flood alerts.
It is also a founding member in the National Science Foundation’s AI Institute for Research on Trustworthy AI in Weather, Climate, and Coastal Oceanography (AI2ES). The institute includes seven academic institutions, four private-sector partners, as well as US government and federally funded labs. AI2ES assembles researchers from the atmospheric and ocean sciences and risk communication to develop trustworthy AI technology to address concerns in weather, climate, and coastal hazards prediction. The team will create educational pathways to develop a more diverse AI and environmental science workforce.
