Climate Rising Using AI and Satellite Data to Transform Agriculture: A Conversation with Alyssa Whitcraft
Dec 18, 2024
Alyssa Whitcraft is a Professor at the University of Maryland and a trailblazer in agricultural remote sensing and climate adaptation. She discusses her role in co-founding NASA Harvest, using satellite data to tackle food security. The conversation explores how AI is revolutionizing agriculture, from crop yield predictions to sustainable practices. Alyssa also highlights her nonprofit, Harvest SARA, aimed at fostering collaboration between sectors. She offers insights on navigating the intersection of AI, climate, and agriculture, along with valuable career advice for aspiring scientists.
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Open Data's Impact
- The US Geological Survey's release of free satellite data in 2008 revolutionized Earth observation applications.
- This spurred innovation like Google Earth and addressed market speculation and information asymmetry.
Proactive Drought Response in Uganda
- Dr. Catherine Nakalembe used satellite data to predict drought in Karamoja, Uganda.
- This early warning enabled proactive government intervention, saving millions and boosting autonomy.
Optimizing Crop Insurance
- NASA Harvest partnered with Green Triangle and Swiss Re to improve crop insurance loss adjustments.
- This reduced fraud, optimized crop cuts, and enhanced yield models, benefiting all stakeholders.