From facial recognition on smart phones to digital voice assistants like Siri to tools like ChatGPT, artificial intelligence and machine learning are part of our everyday lives. Their benefits are many, but their rapid rise is also spurring questions about their risks. The ethical use of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in scientific research is also becoming a more visible and important consideration, according to Guido Cervone, professor of geography and meteorology and atmospheric science.
Cervone contributed to a report on principles and best practices for the ethical use of AI/ML in Earth and space sciences research, published by the American Geophysical Union (AGU). Cervone, who serves as president of AGU’s Natural Hazard Section, was one of six members on the steering committee and one of twenty authors on the report.
AI/ML tools and methods are enabling advances in understanding the Earth and its systems at all scales, informing critical decisions by researchers, organizations and government agencies. AI/ML are powerful tools to evaluate diverse datasets, which can help Earth, space and environmental scientists uncover new insights about our planet and improve scientific predictions, including alerting communities to natural hazards, such as tornados and wildfires, or forecasting future climate-related risks, such as rising sea levels.
According to Cervone, AGU’s report, “Ethical and Responsible Use of AI/ML in the Earth, Space and Environmental Sciences,” was designed to support these advances while mitigating potential risks.