Citizen science and biodiversity in the age of artificial intelligence

Background

There’s little doubt that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to radically transform our world. Perhaps it's already doing so.

In the fields of citizen science and biodiversity research, it offers some extraordinary opportunities - from the instant visual recognition of species to deep environmental insights generated out of big data analysis.

These same developments also raise numerous questions about the impact AI will have on humanity and the natural environment. This workshop will examine the risks and opportunities presented by AI in the fields of citizen science and biodiversity. What are some of the key issues that researchers, practitioners, policy makers and the general public are or should be thinking about?

Schedule

8:30 Morning Coffee

9.15 Introduction and aims of the day – Erin Roger

9.30 AI and Nature (20 minute talk + 10 minute discussion) - Andrew Robinson, QuestaGame

10.00

Examples of AI in biodiversity/citizen science - Katina Michael, University of Wollongong
Indigenous knowledge is core to environmental sustainability - Luke Brisco, IndigiLabs
Digitising biodiversity – An AI and Citizen Science partnership - Paul Flemons, Australian Museum
AI, iNaturalist and Citizen Science - Scott Loarie, iNaturalist
GBIF and AI - Donald Hobern, GBIF

11.00 Morning Tea

11.20 Breakout groups: risks and opportunities

12.00 Summary, wrap up, going forward, paper.

12.30 Lunch (provided)

Supported by the Centre for Biodiversity Analysis, QuestaGame, Australian Citizen Science Association, Australian Museum, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.

Is AI a threat to Citizen Science?

Ceccaroni, L. et. al. 2019. Opportunities and Risks for Citizen Science in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice. 4. DOI: 10.5334/cstp.241.