New training centre to bridge gap between environmental science and AI to address global environmental challenges
Posted: 31st October 2023
The University of Oxford is establishing a new Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) that will combine the university’s strengths in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, Big Data and environmental sciences.
The UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for the Environment (The Intelligent Earth Centre) will provide new opportunities to train almost 100 Phd students to develop and apply cutting-edge AI technologies to tackle urgent environmental crises.
The Intelligent Earth Centre is one of a cohort of 12 new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) CDTs in AI, based at 16 universities.
Addressing a skills gap between AI and environmental science
The remarkable breakthroughs in AI and machine learning over recent decades offer the potential to revolutionise environmental research and provide novel solutions to address Earth’s environmental crises. However, progress is currently restricted by a crucial skills gap: environmental scientists often lack expertise in data sciences, limiting their ability to leverage AI and machine learning tools, while data scientists typically do not have specific knowledge in environmental sciences.
The Intelligent Earth Centre will meet this need by delivering a multidisciplinary training program designed to equip a new generation of PhD students to develop AI to tackle urgent environmental crises – well beyond the application of existing AI.
An interdisciplinary initiative
The Intelligent Earth Centre will be intrinsically interdisciplinary, delivering tailored training in both environmental science and data science, and facilitating ambitious, intersectoral projects. Following a rigorous taught programme covering AI tools, frameworks, and environmental datasets, students will work in interdisciplinary groups to tackle grand challenges in environmental science with increasing complexity. Such applications of AI could include next generation climate models that run at a fraction of the computational cost and environmental footprint, automated tracking of biodiversity loss and unregulated pollution sources from space, or rapid alert systems for environmental disasters.
'We are delighted to be part of this Centre for Doctoral Training, which will have a big impact by training doctoral students to apply cutting-edge AI techniques in environmental science.' Department of Computer Science Head of Department Leslie Ann Goldberg
How to apply
The Centre will have two entry streams for applicants: one for numerate candidates from environmental science backgrounds and the other for environmentally-driven candidates from computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or physics backgrounds. The first PhD positions will start in September 2024 and will open for applications soon with a deadline in January 2024. All details will be provided on The Intelligent Earth Centre website.
UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for the Environment (Intelligent Earth) involves the following University of Oxford Departments: Physics, Biology, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering Science, Statistics, and the School of Geography and the Environment. It is a collaboration with the following non-academic partners: IBM, Google, DeepMind, NVIDIA, ESA, Planet, Met Office, Frontier Development Lab, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, On the Edge, Natural State, ConservationXLabs, and Satellite Applications Catapult.
The new centre has been funded by a major £12 million grant from UKRI, with additional funding from the University of Oxford and a wide range of partners, including IBM, Google, DeepMind, the European Space Agency, Planet, the Met Office, the Frontier Development Lab, and the Satellite Applications Catapult. These partners will host the Centre’s students for placements, enabling them to develop their skills further.