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The potential for AI to revolutionize conservation: a horizon scan

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  • Sam A Reynolds
  • Sara Beery
  • Neil Burgess
  • Mark Burgman
  • Stuart H M Butchart
  • Steven J Cooke
  • David Coomes
  • Finn Danielsen
  • Enrico Di Minin
  • América Paz Durán
  • Francis Gassert
  • Amy Hinsley
  • Sadiq Jaffer
  • Julia P G Jones
  • Binbin V Li
  • Oisin Mac Aodha
  • Anil Madhavapeddy
  • Stephanie A L O'Donnell
  • Lloyd Peck
  • Nathalie Pettorelli
  • Jon Paul Rodríguez
  • Emily Shuckburgh
  • Bernardo Strassburg
  • Hiromi Yamashita
  • Zhongqi Miao
  • William J Sutherland
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>28/02/2025
<mark>Journal</mark>Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Issue number2
Volume40
Number of pages17
Pages (from-to)191-207
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date4/02/25
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging tool that could be leveraged to identify the effective conservation solutions demanded by the urgent biodiversity crisis. We present the results of our horizon scan of AI applications likely to significantly benefit biological conservation. An international panel of conservation scientists and AI experts identified 21 key ideas. These included species recognition to uncover 'dark diversity', multimodal models to improve biodiversity loss predictions, monitoring wildlife trade, and addressing human-wildlife conflict. We consider the potential negative impacts of AI adoption, such as AI colonialism and loss of essential conservation skills, and suggest how the conservation field might adapt to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks.