Google's mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.
Through our products, initiatives, and research, we are committed to improving the lives of as many people as possible around the world.
Google Research teams are proud to sponsor TAU AI Week and share the way we’re investing in technologies that can help communities prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters and threats.
Communities around the world are facing the effects of climate change - from devastating floods and wildfires to challenges around food security. At Google, we are working together with global governments, communities, and local organizations to address the climate change crisis and implement sustainable solutions. As part of our Crisis Response efforts, we're working to bring trusted information to people in critical moments to keep them safe and informed. To do so, we rely on the research and development of our AI-powered technologies and longstanding partnerships with front-line emergency workers and organizations. Here’s a look at some of our crisis response efforts and new ways we’re expanding these tools:
Floods
Catastrophic damage from flooding affects more than 250 million people every year. In 2018, we launched our flood forecasting initiative that uses machine learning models to provide people with detailed alerts. In 2021, we sent 115 million flood alert notifications to 23 million people over Search and Maps, helping save countless lives, and in November 2022 we announced the expansion of our flood forecasts to river basins in 18 additional countries across Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia.
Wildfires
Wildfires affect hundreds of thousands of people each year, and are increasing in frequency and size. We detect wildfire boundaries using new AI models based on satellite imagery and show their real-time location in Search and Maps. Today, wildfire detection is available in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and parts of Australia.
Hurricanes
Access to authoritative forecasts and safety information about hurricanes can be life-saving. In the days before a hurricane in North America or a typhoon in Japan, detailed forecasts from authoritative sources appear on SOS Alerts in Search and Maps to show a storm’s predicted trajectory. We're also using machine learning to analyze satellite imagery after disasters and identify which areas need help.
AI already plays a critical role in addressing many urgent, climate-related challenges. At Google we will continue to invest in research and technologies to help address these and other global challenges.