AI has become a powerful tool for conservation, aiding in the monitoring of rare species, preventing pollution, and tracking animal movement. Whale conservationist Ted Cheeseman’s company, HappyWhale, uses AI to enhance whale watching by identifying whales from photos. This approach reflects a broader trend of using AI to empower public participation in wildlife identification and data collection.
AI in Conservation: Enhancing Whale Watching and Wildlife Identification
AI has proven to be a powerful tool for conservationists, aiding in monitoring rare species, preventing pollution, deforestation, and habitat loss, as well as tracking animal movement and migrations.
HappyWhale: Enhancing Whale Watching with AI
HappyWhale, a company led by whale conservationist Ted Cheeseman, leverages AI to improve whale watching for tourists and conservationists. Their software allows users to upload photos for identification, drawing on a database of over 70,000 whales. What sets this AI apart is its ability to recognize a whale even when the tail is not perfectly visible, whether rotated, curved, or diving.
This technology uses computer vision, a branch of machine learning concerned with analyzing visual data such as videos and images. The model uses AI to pinpoint unique markings and shapes on each whale’s tail.
HappyWhale’s platform also tracks the location of whales, plotting their distribution and enabling researchers to view whether whales turn up in unusual or anomalous locations. This approach is part of a broader trend where conservation groups use AI to empower the public in wildlife identification, in return gathering vast amounts of crowdsourced data.
AI in Wildlife Identification: Beyond Whales
Other examples of AI aiding in wildlife identification include the Merlin Bird ID app, developed by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the iNaturalist app. Both apps use AI to assist users in identifying bird species and other wildlife, continually learning from user-submitted photos and data.
Practical AI Solutions for Your Company
If you want to evolve your company with AI, consider the following practical steps:
- Identify Automation Opportunities: Locate key customer interaction points that can benefit from AI.
- Define KPIs: Ensure your AI endeavors have measurable impacts on business outcomes.
- Select an AI Solution: Choose tools that align with your needs and provide customization.
- Implement Gradually: Start with a pilot, gather data, and expand AI usage judiciously.
For AI KPI management advice and insights into leveraging AI, connect with us at hello@itinai.com or stay tuned on our Telegram channel or Twitter.
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