Artificial intelligence (AI) has finally made its mark in the NASA space program. NASA has successfully used AI to bring development in disaster management. The use of open science and AI has been instrumental in advancing response, disaster preparedness, and recovery. Here’s how AI has proven to be effective in such disaster management.
So, how is AI going to help? Through NASA’s ‘Disasters Program,’ the space agency has developed cutting-edge tools and datasets. These AI-powered tools will help emergency responders and communities effectively manage natural calamities such as hurricanes. The latest example could be the application of these tools during the devastating Hurricane Ida in 2021, says NASA.
On August 21, 2021, Hurricane Ida struck Louisiana. The hurricane reportedly left a trail of destruction and is known as one of the most powerful and impactful storms in U.S. history. During this emergency, alongside the ground team, NASA’s Disasters Program also provided important satellite-based data to contribute to relief efforts.
By using their Disasters Mapping Portal, NASA managed to share important information. These included data related to soil moisture levels, vegetation changes, precipitation, and power outages with relief organizations. These insights not only allowed teams to understand the hurricane’s impact but also helped to identify key safety strategies according to emergency scenarios.
A new era of space tech
Looking ahead, another notable contribution of AI in disaster management could be NASA’s AI-based damage assessment tool. During the hurricane, the AI models were used to identify blue tarps on roofs post-hurricane. The blue tarps helped the disaster management team identify damaged structures. This eventually made it easier for the team to take precautions as soon as possible and accordingly. Without AI, this could have required more labor and time. Also, it wouldn’t have been possible for humans to identify at a precise level, unlike AI.
Furthermore, NASA’s collaboration with IBM to develop open-source AI models also showcases its commitment to open science. These tools have the potential to process NASA’s vast satellite data archives, making the dataset more accessible for a wide range of applications, such as agricultural management and disaster prediction, among others.