EUMETNET Launches Ambitious AI Programme with ECMWF and EUMETSAT: WMO Research Group to Enhance Collaboration Strategies
In January 2024, EUMETNET, in collaboration with ECMWF and EUMETSAT, launched a groundbreaking five-year Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme, managed by Prof. Dr. Roland Potthast (DWD). This initiative brings together 16 National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) from the Regional Association VI, fostering extensive expert feedback and collaboration.
The AI programme for Weather, Climate and Environmental Applications is structured into three main components:
- Data Curation
- Analysis, Modelling, and Post-Processing
- Products and Services
Key products under these components include AI Warn, a High Impact Weather Toolbox, and a Weather and Climate Chat.
EUMETSAT is contributing to the Data Curation and Products component, focusing on satellite data and a comprehensive set of meteorological observations. Meanwhile, the ECMWF Pilot Project is pivotal for the Analysis, Modelling, and Ensembles component.
An additional component of the EUMETNET programme emphasizes communication and training. A series of workshops will be organized as part of this effort, with the first workshop on AI and Machine Learning (ML) for Products and Services held on June 5-6, 2024, in the Netherlands, hosted by KNMI.
This workshop is part of a sequence of events within the new EUMETNET E-AI Programme, including EUMETSAT initiatives and the ECMWF AI/ML Pilot Project. The workshop aimed to provide a forum for exchange and collaboration, organize activities, build interest groups, and prepare steps toward establishing dedicated working groups at a European scale.
The workshop featured thematic sessions with keynote contributions, short presentations by participating weather services, and ample time for discussion. The sessions covered:
- AI/ML for Detection, Discovery, Characterization, and Attribution
- AI/ML for Communication and Consultation: Texts, Audio, and Video
- AI/ML for Impact and Decision Support
- Group Building, Conclusions, and Next Steps
With over one hundred participants registered, the event underscored the high interest and importance of AI and ML in meteorological services.
At the same time, the WMO Regional Association VI Research Group is focused on enhancing the science for services value chain through technological advancements and innovation. In this connection, the Group looks forward to collaborating on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with EUMETNET, ECMWF, and EUMETSAT, for which the next steps will need to be discussed and put into the effect.