Shillong: Leading experts from India and the UK convened at IIM Shillong for a two-day workshop aimed at exploring artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to address climate challenges in the region.
The workshop, organized by the British High Commission, IIM Shillong, and the Government of Meghalaya, focused on leveraging AI-driven approaches to protect vulnerable ecosystems and advance climate science in Northeast India.
British Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Fleming emphasized the significance of combining the UK’s technical expertise with India’s regional knowledge to protect communities and progress toward net-zero goals. This workshop is part of the broader UK-India Technology Security Initiative, which seeks to establish a joint AI center to focus on climate, sustainability, finance, cybersecurity, and healthcare, as explained by Joshua Bamford, Head of Tech and Innovation at the British High Commission India.
Dr. Albert Chiang from the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority highlighted the region’s fragile ecosystem, stressing the urgent need for AI-driven data analysis to address issues like erratic rainfall and watershed degradation, which are exacerbating climate challenges.
The event brought together experts from renowned institutions such as the UK Met Office, University College London, University of Leeds, and University of Oxford, alongside Indian institutions including IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, CUSAT, and various government ministries. Discussions covered local climate challenges, AI-driven climate modeling techniques used in the UK, and recent innovations from India.
The workshop is expected to foster actionable policies aimed at tackling the pressing climate issues facing Northeast India, building on initial discussions from July 2024.
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