DOST links with US firm for AI use in weather forecasting

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aims to improve and provide more detailed daily weather forecasts through artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

In a public briefing on Thursday, Assistant Secretary Napoleon Juanillo said the DOST has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States-based company, ‘Atmo,’ specializing in AI-guided weather forecasting.

This was held during the US-ASEAN Business 2023 Philippine Business Mission meeting held last August 9, 2023, at the Marriott Hotel in Manila.

Juanillo said the US-ASEAN Business Council had over 175 representatives from US-based companies, including the Atmo.

“Meron silang mga cutting edges na makakatulong sa ating mga problema sa climate change challenges. Benepisyo ‘yan sa atin lalo na sa mga magsasaka, kapag sinabi ng AI climate forecasting ay talagang mas accurate, granular at talagang ‘yung predictability at accuracy ng mga datos na mas magagamit ng ating mga magsasaka, pati mga mangingisda,” he said.

(They have cutting edges that can help with our climate change challenges. That's a benefit to us, especially to farmers, as AI climate forecasting is more accurate and granular, and the predictability and accuracy of the data are more useful for farmers and fishermen.)

He said that the company has established links to state weather bureau PAGASA to help it provide more accurate forecasts.

“Para kahit ang pinakamaliit na datos ang pwede nating makuha para maiakma ang mga prediction and estimates, lalo na’t laging hinahamon ang ating bansa o kahit sa mga normal na araw,” Juanillo said.

(So we can get even the smallest data to adjust our predictions and estimates.)

“So akmang-akma dito sa ating nararanasang bagyo at iba pang mga hazards kaya siguro ‘pag medyo ganyan nagbebenefit tayo o nagkakaroon ng kooperasyon sa mga pribadong kumpanyang ito, nagbebenefit din ang ating mga scientists, experts at mga estudyante,” he added.

(This technology will be useful as we predict typhoons and other hazards. Cooperation with private companies will benefit our scientists, experts, and students.)

The DOST also mentioned that many US-based companies also expressed interest in partnerships and collaborations in various domains such as health care, agriculture, and climate change.—LDF, GMA Integrated News