Events Calendar

CS Colloquium: Bonnie Lei (Microsoft) - AI for Earth: Tackling Global Environmental Challenges

Speaker: Bonnie Lei, Microsoft

Talk Title: AI for Earth: Tackling Global Environmental Challenges

Series: Computer Science Colloquium

Abstract: Monitoring Earth's conditions, including our air, water, land, and the well-being of our wildlife helps us better understand the dire environmental challenges our planet is currently facing. But we need the power of technological approaches such as AI to convert this vast amount of data into implementable insights fast enough to better manage our natural resources.
This inspired Microsoft to launch the AI for Earth program in 2017, committing $50 million over the next 5 years to help researchers and innovators leverage artificial intelligence technology for environmental solutions in the areas of climate, water, agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. Bonnie will share several examples of how AI for Earth and its partners have done this during the program's first year, including:
- USC Center for AI and Society's PAWS algorithm: integrates machine learning to predict poachers' behavior and plan the most effective patrol routes for rangers in protected areas
- Wild Me: Using computer vision and deep learning algorithms to scan and identify individual animals from scientific data and social media
- Project Premonition: using cloud-scale genomics and machine learning algorithms to better understand biodiversity from blood-sucking insects

This lecture satisfies requirements for CSCI 591: Research Colloquium.


Biography: Bonnie Lei is currently the project manager for Microsoft's AI for Earth program, where she leads its strategic partnerships and grants program. Previously, she traveled the globe as an environmental scientist and conservationist. She helped start the marine program for Wildlife Conservation Society in Myanmar, discovered a new sea slug species in the Caribbean, and researched climate adaptation of endangered penguins in South Africa. She has degrees in biology and economics & business from Harvard and Tsinghua Universities.


Host: Computer Science Department

Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 101

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Computer Science Department