A machine learning tool to fight waste threatening Pacific island species - Actu IA

The Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) is a British organization dedicated to saving the species of the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador. The islands are home to many endemic species. In order to put an end to this phenomenon, the GCT, with the help of the Utrecht Institute for Oceanographic and Atmospheric Research, has developed a tool that uses artificial intelligence to optimise the cleaning of the coastline. The Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are home to a unique fauna, as evidenced by the giant tortoises that bear the name of the islands. The tons of garbage covering the beaches represent a major threat to wildlife, as the plastic micro-particles are ingested by the animals, resulting in their deteriorating health and therefore killing them. Stephanie Ypma, a researcher at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, is one of the experts who developed a solution that was presented in April at the EGU General Assembly.