Significant investments and research developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have made the technology a powerful asset in many industries -- including environmental studies. AI isn't a new technology, but businesses and consumers feel its impact and witness it seep into everyday life. AI is becoming more advanced and autonomous, and it's also broader in its use and impact. More use cases for AI are emerging, and if implemented responsibly, it can greatly benefit society. It's likely to play a role in tackling issues like climate change -- but how? Here's how AI is expected to impact the environment and usher in positive changes for a more sustainable future. It's critical to understand the breadth of environmental problems right now.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping an increasing number of sectors globally. Degradation of the natural environment and the climate crisis are complex issues requiring the most advanced and innovative solutions. AI is expected to impact environmental, financial, and job stability, amongst other areas in the future. But, how much can AI really help contribute to the climate crisis? Environmentally, Artificial Intelligence can aid management across agriculture, water, energy, and transport. For water resource management, AI can help to reduce or eliminate waste while lowering costs and lessening environmental impact, such as AI-driven localized weather forecasting to help restrict water usage.

We are at the cusp of a geospatial artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. At its core, Geospatial AI is a discipline that combines innovations in spatial science and AI methods to extract knowledge from spatial big data, which encompasses any data related to the Earth's surface. Astoundingly, the market of geospatial analytics is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24% between 2020-2025. As the technology continues to develop at a record-breaking pace, one of the most important applications of Geospatial AI is to help mitigate and combat the effects of climate change and natural disasters. Data gathered through geospatial techniques on factors like flood levels, land surface temperatures, and wind speeds can provide vital insights to governments and local authorities.

Microsoft, in collaboration with others, is using algorithms to convert satellite images into information about categories of land cover, such as forests.Credit: Microsoft Earlier this year, I became Microsoft's first chief environment scientist. I've been tasked with deploying the company's deep investments in artificial intelligence (AI) research and technology to help people around the world monitor, model and ultimately manage Earth's natural systems. Most people I meet are surprised that one of the world's leading technology companies has a role such as mine. Yet I believe that in the next few years, every major tech firm will be working on applying AI to sustainability. It is the ethical thing to do. It is good for business.