Scientists are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to identify new animal species, particularly in the tropics where biodiversity is highest and least studied. While AI is not yet trusted to make formal descriptions of new species, it is proving effective in flagging potentially new species and helping researchers understand complex ecosystems. By analyzing large datasets from smartphones, camera traps, and automated monitoring systems, AI is accelerating the pace of research and allowing scientists to tackle bigger questions. However, the technology is only as good as the data it’s trained on, and there are still significant gaps in our understanding of Earth’s wildlife. Nevertheless, AI is showing promise in monitoring and identifying insect species, which are the most diverse group of animals. It’s also being used to monitor entire ecosystems, providing insights into changes in biodiversity over time and how wildlife responds to environmental changes. Despite the irony that AI algorithms are energy-intensive and may have an environmental impact, researchers are finding ways to make them more sustainable.

AI Uncovers Hidden Species
AI is helping researchers understand complex ecosystems as it makes sense of large data sets gleaned via smartphones, camera traps and automated monitoring systems.
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