WMO Faces the Future with Action Plan on Artificial Intelligence

WMO launches an action plan focused on integrating AI into meteorology and hydrology through a new Joint Advisory Group. Collaboration across sectors, adherence to ethical standards, and support for gender and youth initiatives are also prioritized. The EC has streamlined governance to enhance effectiveness, with an extraordinary World Meteorological Congress set for October 2025 to further explore AI and early warning systems.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is gearing up for a bold future with a new action plan centered around Artificial Intelligence (AI). A freshly formed Joint Advisory Group on AI will help steer WMO’s strategy concerning AI technologies in meteorology and hydrology, aiming to weave this advanced tech into the fabric of WMO’s infrastructure and research efforts. There’s a keen emphasis on integrating AI with the WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System (WIPPS), which is essential for forecasting accuracy.

Collaboration is at the heart of WMO’s approach, as it seeks to partner with players from the public, private, and academic sectors. The goal? Enhance the entire cycle from weather, climate, and water science to the services they provide, as highlighted in an EC resolution. While the potential of AI is undeniably transformative, the WMO is being careful to align its initiatives with scientific and ethical principles, stressing the crucial role of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in providing reliable public warnings.

“AI is rapidly reshaping how we work, creating a demand for new skills and increased adoption of AI technology. We need to embrace this challenge, balancing short-term caution with long-term engagement with AI innovation and its expansion,” said WMO President Abdulla Al Mandous. This balancing act seems central to the roadmap ahead.

On top of the AI focus, the Executive Council (EC) has pledged to speed up the Early Warnings for All initiative, placing it as WMO’s top priority. Not only that, but the council is backing plans aimed at promoting gender equality and youth engagement within its initiatives. Future research and operational activities, particularly on monitoring greenhouse gases, received the green light as well.

WMO remains committed to enhancing its global agenda and strengthening partnerships, especially in a time marked by resource constraints. A revision of governance and administration was also on the table, aiming to boost the effectiveness of WMO through careful consideration of the regional offices’ locations and resources. In an effort to streamline processes, the number of EC documents was slashed by 40%, ultimately freeing up time to focus on innovations and practical solutions.

Looking ahead, the EC has mapped out an exciting agenda for an extraordinary World Meteorological Congress set for October 2025. This congress aims to dive deep into both the Early Warnings for All initiative and AI-related topics, setting the stage for further advancements and discussions.

In summary, the WMO is stepping into the future with a concerted action plan focused on AI’s integration into meteorology. Collaboration across sectors, a commitment to ethical standards in AI, and an emphasis on gender and youth plans mark significant strides forward. With the Early Warnings for All initiative and a streamlined approach to governance, WMO is positioning itself to better meet the challenges posed by climate and weather extremes as it prepares for the upcoming Congress in 2025.

Original Source: wmo.int