Artificial Intelligence Forecasting Centre Unveiled by UCD and Met Éireann
New AIMSIR Centre at University College Dublin Utilises AI for Weather Forecasting
The University College Dublin (UCD) has launched the AIMSIR Centre, a pioneering initiative aimed at using artificial intelligence (AI) for weather forecasting. The centre, which is the first of its kind in Ireland, was established with a €5 million investment from Met Éireann.
The AIMSIR Centre is hosted in the UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics, in conjunction with the UCD Earth Institute. Its primary focus is on developing AI-driven forecasting tools for extreme and multi-hazard weather events. This is in response to the growing risks posed by climate change.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, described the AIMSIR Centre as a "pioneering initiative". He emphasised the importance of advances in weather prediction for the protection of people and infrastructure in Ireland. UCD President, Professor Orla Feely, shared similar sentiments, stating that the centre is designed to provide Ireland with a hub of expertise at the intersection of data science, meteorology, and climate research.
The AIMSIR Centre is already being used alongside traditional weather forecasts by Met Éireann. Eoin Moran, Director of Met Éireann, clarified that the centre is not intended to replace the work of Met Éireann, but to work alongside them. Each project at the AIMSIR Centre involves a member from Met Éireann to ensure it complements current work.
In its initial years of operation, the AIMSIR Centre plans to train around 20 PhD students and introduce a new MSc in AI for Meteorology and Climate Change. The centre is also addressing the issue of increased rainfall intensity and is designed to quickly adapt to changing data sets, particularly in the context of climate change.
The AIMSIR Centre's work is currently being tested during the warmest summer on record, which has seen an increase in extreme temperature events. Met Éireann sees the AIMSIR Centre as a strategic investment in building national expertise in data science applied to weather and climate. Over time, AI forecasts are expected to become more integrated and taken more seriously due to improving accuracy.
The AIMSIR Centre aims to directly strengthen Ireland's national forecasting capability. It will bring together over 60 UCD researchers across various disciplines. The ultimate goal is to make it easier to react quickly to extreme weather events due to climate change, thereby improving Ireland's ability to respond to these challenges.
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