The growing and essential role that artificial intelligence (AI) and remote sensing play in managing threats like climate change, pandemics and natural disasters was the theme of a recent international forum at Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University.
The university’s Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems Research Center organised the forum with Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, in Riyadh; the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Society for Geosciences and Remote Sensing.
Yaseen Ahmed Al-Mulla, director of the center and chairman of the forum’s organizing committee, said temporal and spatial information technology was one of the fastest developing technologies.
He said the idea behind the forum was that integrating artificial intelligence technology with remote sensing tools and space science could be used for satellite monitoring, information acquisition, processing, analysis, and on-the-ground study to support the sustainable development of society, the environment and decision-making.
Documenting Climate Change
The impact of climate change has been documented around the world, Al-Mulla said. At the same time, the world has experienced an increase in the frequency and severity of natural hazards, including the recent health pandemic (Covid-19). Together, such events pose serious threats to people’s lives and property, he said.
