AI set to map risks of future climate disasters

"Brazil is developing an artificial-intelligence agent that will provide climate-disaster information and advice for its residents. This is one of the first large-scale national initiatives to integrate AI, simulations and citizen participation into a tool for disaster preparedness aimed at individuals. It is shepherded by the National Institute of Science and Technology in Simulation and Monitoring for Individual Assistance in Extreme Climate Events (INCT-SIM-AI)."

"For each household, the tool will store data, including an address and any particular needs relating to potential evacuations. These will be combined with public data through each state's emergency-management agency to provide residents with accurate and up-to-date information."

"Developing such a tool is a human challenge as much as a technical one. No community is homogeneous: people differ in terms of their social, economic and educational conditions, and in how they trust technology and interpret warnings. Scientists must listen to local people and communicate clearly with them."

Brazil faces increasing natural disasters, with 2024 floods affecting 2 million people and killing nearly 200. As climate change intensifies extreme weather events, communities need accessible tools to understand risks and respond effectively. Brazil is developing an AI agent through the National Institute of Science and Technology in Simulation and Monitoring for Individual Assistance in Extreme Climate Events (INCT-SIM-AI) to provide climate-disaster information and advice. The tool will store household-specific data including addresses and evacuation needs, combined with public emergency-management data from state agencies to deliver accurate, localized information. Success requires addressing both technical and human challenges, as communities vary in social, economic, educational conditions, and technology trust levels. Scientists must engage with local populations and communicate clearly to ensure effective adoption.

Read at Nature