Experts: How are climate scientists using artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing at a rapid pace and is increasingly being used . AI is perhaps best-known for its use in “large language models”, such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. However, the field is vast.  From weather forecasting to analysing satellite images, climate scientists are using various types of AI to develop faster and more efficient ways to study the warming planet.  However, the technology comes with no shortage of risks and challenges, including overreliance on unverified results, intensive energy use and exacerbating existing inequalities in climate science. Carbon Brief spoke to 10 experts working across a range of climate-related fields – from developing climate forecasts to analysing changes in the energy grid – about how AI is being used. Their answers are set out below, grouped by theme. What are the benefits and challenges of using AI in weather and climate forecasting? What are some other current uses of AI in climate science research? How is AI being used to advance climate policy and action? How could AI be used in climate research over the coming years? Are there any misconceptions about the use of AI in climate science? Could AI improve or exacerbate inequalities in climate research? What are some other risks and challenges of AI in climate change research? Article Contents Expand menu Close What are the benefits and challenges of using AI in weather and climate forecasting? What are some other current uses of AI in climate science research? How is AI being used to advance climate policy and action? How could AI be used in climate research over the coming years? Are there any misconceptions about the use of AI in climate science? Could AI improve or exacerbate inequalities in climate research? What are some other risks and challenges of AI in climate change research? What are the benefits and challenges of using AI in weather and climate forecasting? Dr Doug McNeall, science lead in data-driven climate modelling at the UK Met Office: One of the most significant recent developments has been the success of AI weather-prediction models, which learn from large volumes of weather data to predict the next few hours ahead and then repeatedly feed those predictions back into themselves to generate forecasts up to two weeks into the future. These models have demonstrated that AI can provide accurate predictions while requiring far less computing power than existing numerical models [which rely on mathematical equations to simulate the climate].