Events Calendar

CAIS Seminar: Andrew Zolli (Planet) - Using Space and AI to Help Life on Earth: How AI and Satellites Are Transforming Our Stewardship of the Planet

Speaker: Andrew Zolli, Planet

Talk Title: Using Space and AI to Help Life on Earth: How AI and Satellites Are Transforming Our Stewardship of the Planet

Series: CS Colloquium

Abstract: We're in the middle of two concurrent and convergent technological revolutions. The first is a sensor revolution, in which new streams of real-time data from the ground, the air, and space are making the change on Earth more transparent than ever before. New generations of satellites monitor every crop, every forest, every city, everywhere, every day - and provide unprecedented transparency. The second revolution is an AI summer, in which the wide availability of machine learning, cloud storage and computing are enabling the extraction of real-time indicators from these data sets. This is revealing real-time feedback loops that can show us how our actions impact the world -“ both positively and negatively - and enabling entirely new ways of seeing, analyzing, and responding to planetary change.

In this talk, Planet's Chief Impact Officer Andrew Zolli will share how these breakthrough approaches are transforming our stewardship of the planet, and where they are likely to go next.


This lecture satisfies requirements for CSCI 591: Research Colloquium

Biography: I currently oversee Sustainability and Global Impact initiatives at Planet, a breakthrough space and AI organization that has deployed the largest constellation of Earth-observing satellites in history. These satellites image our whole planet every day in high resolution, and my team makes sure this data is ethically used to its highest and best purposes to accelerate climate action, monitor the world's ecosystems, improve humanitarian action and disaster response, protect human rights, transform sustainable development, advance scientific discovery and artistic expression. We're even exploring how these tools can inform the next iteration of capitalism, where social and environmental externalities are more effectively measured and valued. I also currently serve on the International Board of Directors of Human Rights Watch.

Host: USC Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society (CAIS)

Location: Seeley G. Mudd Building (SGM) - 124

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Assistant to CS chair