Can Artificial Intelligence Change The Way Humans Respond To Disasters?

As far as we understand, human beings are the most intelligent species in this solar system. However, days are likely near when computers will take away the title of being the king of intelligence. We all know how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining the approach towards problem solving in fields related to business, education and pharmacy. But did you know that the same technology is considered for better management of disasters; both natural and man-made? Well, scientists and CEOs are betting big on AI to provide answer to all the problems faced by the disaster responders across the globe.

The disastrous nature: Some fearful data

As per the reports published by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCRCS), more than 50,000 people had lost their lives (per year) in earthquakes in the period between 2000 and 2008. Floods across the globe have proved to be an even more dangerous agent of calamity that has resulted in the suffering of more than 99 million people worldwide per year, on an average. According to the same research report, the costliest urban disaster of the first decade of the 21^st century was the Earthquake in Iran that occurred in 2003. The estimated damage caused by this particular earthquake accounts to US$ 500 million. On the other hand, the most dangerous and the deadliest of the all the disasters of last decade was the South Asian Tsunami, which killed 226,408 people across 7 countries including several parts of India. These are just the damages caused due to the recent disasters. We still do not know the total number of people killed by natural disasters since the first instance of modern day records.

How AI can be helpful?

There are people who are affected largely by disasters every year and there are few others who are trying hard and soul to minimise the damages caused by such calamities. Such individuals believe that better assessment of calamities can be initiated once the humans start working along with machines. One such personality is Mr. Ahmad Wani, who is the CEO of ‘One Concern’, an AI based start-up that is working on disaster management processes using technology. The vision of the company and its CEO is to use analytics to calculate estimated damage and help the authority to minimise the same using appropriate measures. The project is still in its initial stage; however, there are other significant developments in the field of disaster management using AI.

                   
                 

Let us figure out the developments made in the field of AI that can help the humanity to combat natural disasters in style, and more importantly with efficiency.

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The DART tsunami detection buoy

Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) is so far the most advanced technology that can help the disaster response teams across the world to detect tsunamis in advance. But how does the system operate? Well, DART collects data regarding seafloor pressure and transmits the same through the Iridium satellite network. Later, these datasets are sent to the sea monitoring stations, which crack the codes to figure out if there are any abnormalities in the sea pressure.
 

Volcano detection made easy with robotics

This particular experiment is the perfect example of what we know as the meeting point of technology and innovative thinking. David Fisher, a model helicopter developer has teamed up with Andrew McGonigle, a volcanologist (Sheffield University) in order to detect the probabilities of volcanic eruptions. They use mini helicopters to reach on the surface of the active volcanoes, which allow them to monitor whether any gas emission is taking place. They now analyse these data to figure out the state of the molten lava beneath the surface. According to the experts, this particular technology can detect volcanic eruptions one day in advance, which shall save at least thousands of lives.

The EEW system

Can you guess the name of the country that witnesses the most number of earthquakes throughout the year? It is Japan. Did you know that the same country is the most advanced nation as far as detecting earthquakes is concerned? The Japanese researchers at the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) have developed a technology that reads the data collected from the network of over 1000 seismic stations across the country, which in turn allows the system to detect the magnitude of earthquake. The system is also capable of locating the source of the tremor.

More interestingly, as soon as the system detects any abnormality in the seismic plates, it sends messages to cell phones, radios and TV channels- alerting the public, and more importantly, the system transmit signals that halt the elevators across the area and shut down computers in the locality in order to avoid any major damage. The Early Earthquake Warning (EEW) system has another interesting ability, which is to stop the trains automatically as soon as it detects an earthquake. Can you feel how much power this system possesses that allows it to complete so many tasks in just a matter of few seconds?

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The Pan-STARRS

So far, we have learned about the technologies that will allow the humankind to face natural calamities in a smarter manner. But what may happen if an asteroid hit the earth’s surface, just like the one that wiped out the entire race of dinosaurs about millions of years ago? The Pan-STARRS is been built for this particular purpose. ‘Pan-STARRS’ stands for Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System, which uses the most powerful digital camera in the world to monitor the happenings in the space. It captures numerous photographs of the night sky and currently, the telescope is located in Hawaii. The function of this system is not limited to clicking pictures but it also compares the same with previous photographs in order to detect any abnormality. Thus, the Pan STARRS ensures that we can sleep peacefully and wake up the next day without worrying about being destructed by any heavenly body.

While we are busy to earn money or buy toys for our kids, these artificially intelligent systems are working effortlessly to secure our future. We are very lucky indeed to have born in this era, which ensures that we live in safety. All we can wish right now is the welfare of AI. Long live AI!

          

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