Use of Artificial Intelligence in Climate Science and Expert Opinions

Artificial intelligence technologies are utilized across numerous fields, ranging from weather forecasting to satellite image analysis, to understand climate change. Carbon Brief brought together ten experts from various fields of climate science to discuss the benefits, risks, and application areas provided by artificial intelligence.

While AI weather prediction models offer accurate forecasts with lower processing power, they face certain challenges in long-term climate projections compared to physics-based models. Experts state that AI systems have reached a level capable of competing with traditional numerical models and that a renaissance is underway in atmospheric science. However, while AI succeeds in typical weather conditions, its performance can drop during extreme events, making the research of hybrid models critical.

In satellite monitoring processes, AI is used to track methane leaks, deforestation, and glacier retreat. Deep learning systems have shown success in sea-ice forecasting, and the World Climate Research Program is integrating this technology to improve outputs. On the policy side, AI is deployed to optimize renewable energy grids, measure emissions, model economic scenarios, and evaluate policy effectiveness. The IPCC is also incorporating AI-based model comparison projects into its seventh assessment report.