Using AI to see how well past extinctions can predict future biodiversity loss

Evidence from past extinctions cannot be used as a definitive way of predicting future biodiversity loss, scientists have found by using AI. A team of researchers including Dr. James Witts of the University of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences and led by Dr. William Foster from Hamburg University used fossils from previous mass extinctions to see if AI-generated models can accurately predict extinction vulnerability. Despite expectations, this research found that mass extinctions could not be used to generate predictive models for other biodiversity crises, with no common cause flagged. This is because marine communities are constantly evolving and no two mass extinctions are impacting the same marine ecosystem. Co-author Dr. Witts explained, "In a time of increasing extinction risk, knowing whether we can make predictions about the vulnerabilities of different organisms to extinction is essential."