Representatives from key conservation organisations and technology experts convened at the Watatunga wildlife reserve, located near King's Lynn in Norfolk, for an event focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in conservation efforts. The meeting included delegates from the Holkham estate, Wild Ken Hill, Nattergal, the British Trust for Ornithology, the North Norfolk Coastal Group, and academic representatives from the University of East Anglia, alongside researchers and software engineers from Google.
During the event, attendees participated in a tour of the wildlife reserve, which showcased the potential applications of AI technology in monitoring and conserving wildlife. Discussions revolved around various methods, including the use of bioacoustics—where microphones are deployed in natural settings to capture sounds from species, as well as wildlife cameras for visual monitoring. Further, satellite-based remote sensing was highlighted as a tool for tracking habitat changes, enhancing data collection to inform conservation strategies.
Drew Purves from Google DeepMind reflected on the event, stating, "Everyone really was quite amazed by the tour experience. Please bear in mind that this group has an enormous amount of experience in nature and eco-tourism. With no exceptions, we were all really impressed and excited to see what you are doing at Watatunga. Similarly, people really valued meeting some people from the local conservation community. I personally felt a sense of pride to see Norfolk represented in that way."
The conference also featured input from Millie Chapman, a visiting researcher from Google and professor at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, who elaborated on how data and algorithms can significantly influence decision-making regarding land and sea protection. Delegates engaged in discussions around the best ways to merge AI capabilities with the extensive local knowledge of Norfolk's natural history, a collaboration that aims to enhance conservation outcomes.
The event was marked by a picturesque setting, as described by Watatunga founder Ed Pope, who shared insights about the reserve’s vibrant autumn colours and the wildlife present during the tour. He noted, “The reserve was at its best – crisp autumn colours, all three male bongo out on show, a stunning sighting of our white-lipped deer in the woodland, their stag silhouetted by the lake. We made it back from tour to the Watatunga stretch-tent just before the heavens opened for a fascinating presentation from several of the Google delegates.”
Overall, the gathering highlighted the growing intersection of technology and natural conservation, illustrating both the potential advancements that AI can bring to the field and the importance of integrating local ecological knowledge.
Source: Noah Wire Services