The potential for AI to revolutionize conservation: a horizon scan.

Journal: Trends in ecology & evolution
PMID: 39694720

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging tool that could be leveraged to identify the effective conservation solutions demanded by the urgent biodiversity crisis. We present the results of our horizon scan of AI applications likely to significantly benefit biological conservation. An international panel of conservation scientists and AI experts identified 21 key ideas. These included species recognition to uncover 'dark diversity', multimodal models to improve biodiversity loss predictions, monitoring wildlife trade, and addressing human-wildlife conflict. We consider the potential negative impacts of AI adoption, such as AI colonialism and loss of essential conservation skills, and suggest how the conservation field might adapt to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks.

Authors

  • Sam A Reynolds
    Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK. Electronic address: sar87@cam.ac.uk.
  • Sara Beery
    Department of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA, USA.
  • Neil Burgess
    UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, 17 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AR, UK; UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK. Electronic address: n.burgess@ucl.ac.uk.
  • Mark Burgman
    School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
  • Stuart H M Butchart
    BirdLife International, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
  • Steven J Cooke
    Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel by Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada.
  • David Coomes
    Conservation Research Institute and Department of Plant Sciences, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK.
  • Finn Danielsen
    Nordic Foundation for Development and Ecology (NORDECO), Copenhagen DK-1159, Denmark.
  • Enrico Di Minin
    Digital Geography Lab, Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland. enrico.di.minin@helsinki.fi.
  • América Paz Durán
    Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad (IEB-Chile), Santiago, Chile.
  • Francis Gassert
    Vizzuality, 28010 Madrid, Spain.
  • Amy Hinsley
    Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK.
  • Sadiq Jaffer
    Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FD, UK.
  • Julia P G Jones
    School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK.
  • Binbin V Li
    Environmental Research Centre, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215316, China; Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
  • Oisin Mac Aodha
    Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Anil Madhavapeddy
    Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FD, UK.
  • Stephanie A L O'Donnell
    Fauna & Flora International, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK.
  • William M Oxbury
    School of Mathematical Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK.
  • Lloyd Peck
    British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK.
  • Nathalie Pettorelli
    Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK.
  • Jon Paul Rodríguez
    International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission, Calle La Joya, Edificio Unidad Técnica del Este, Chacao, Caracas 1060, Venezuela; Provita, Calle La Joya, Edificio Unidad Técnica del Este, Chacao, Caracas 1060, Venezuela; Centro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Miranda 1204, Venezuela.
  • Emily Shuckburgh
    Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FD, UK.
  • Bernardo Strassburg
    Re.Green, Rio de Janeiro 22470-060, Brazil; Rio Conservation and Sustainability Science Centre, Department of Geography and the Environment, Pontifícia Universidade Católica, Rio de Janeiro 22451-900, Brazil.
  • Hiromi Yamashita
    Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Jyumonji-baru, Beppu City, Oita, 874-8577, Japan.
  • Zhongqi Miao
    Dept. Env. Sci., Pol. & Manag., UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States. zhongqi.miao@berkeley.edu.
  • William J Sutherland
    Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK.

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