Intel using AI to gather real-time data on Coral reef

Due to overfishing, bottom trawling and warming temperatures, coral reefs are rapidly deteriorating. Also, scientists need more data to protect and restore reefs.

Now, Intel and its partners Accenture and the Sulubaai Environmental Foundation have announced CORaiL, an AI-powered project to monitor reefs and analyze their resiliency. This  allows researchers to collect vital data without actually being in the water.

Coral reefs protect coastlines from tropical storms, provide food and income for 1 billion people, and generate $9.6 billion in tourism and recreation. Monitoring coral reefs around the world for the effects of ocean acidification, or changing pH in seawater, will become increasingly important for climate change researchers.

Last year, the CORaiL team has collected about 40,000 images. Researchers are already using those to assess reef health, and engineers are working on a next-generation CORaiL prototype, with an optimized convolutional neural network and backup power supply.