AI for Public Good

The AI Office of the European Commission is pursuing AI for public good by developing cutting-edge AI models and algorithms to tackle major societal challenges - from improving healthcare and optimising energy use to mitigating the impact of disasters through preparedness, crisis management and reconstruction.

The AI models and algorithms will be open and accessible, with the aim to foster collaboration and innovation that benefits all.

Energy optimisation

AI offers a promising avenue for smart urban grids by dynamically accommodating fluctuating energy demands and integrating renewable sources efficiently. This will pave the way for more efficient and environmentally friendly energy usage.

Health

There are multiple applications of AI in health. For example, AI has the potential to dramatically enhance the accuracy and efficiency of cancer diagnosis, particularly in breast and prostate cancers, by analysing medical images. By leveraging machine learning algorithms and advanced image processing techniques, AI can assist medical practitioners in identifying subtle patterns or anomalies that might be difficult for the human eye to detect.

Environment

Extreme weather and climate forecasting plays a crucial role in the anticipation and preparation for disasters exacerbated by the climate crisis. Development of digital replicas of tropical cyclones, for example, will facilitate more precise local risk assessments and prediction of their impacts, benefiting particularly vulnerable regions or areas with limited warning capabilities.
 

Emergency response

In the face of catastrophes like wildfires and flooding, cutting-edge technologies - AI, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and real-time data analytics - empower emergency response teams to anticipate needs, optimise resource allocation, and track progress. These analytical tools help to ensure faster and more effective coordination.

Reconstruction

An innovative application of AI lies in reconstructing cities and communities impacted by natural or man-made disasters. The use of AI will help local authorities to assess damage, simulate reconstruction scenarios, estimate costs and track cost deviations. All this paves the way for reconstruction projects that are more transparent and less prone to fraud, through enhanced accountability.