Mukhtar: Adopting AI-based applications is a must to avoid disasters caused by environmental degradation

As part of its interest in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and their impact on human rights, Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights participated in a virtual event organized by Africa Climate Action Initiative (ACAI), to discuss the role of artificial intelligence applications in combating environmental degradation and mitigating the serious consequences of climate changes.

In this context, Muhammad Mukhtar, a researcher at Maat, said that AI applications act as early warning systems to flag up the risks of environmental degradation and climatic changes, in addition to their effectiveness in providing humanitarian aid to those affected by environmental and climate crises.

Mukhtar further added that these AI applications are important tools to reduce the surging levels of greenhouse gas emissions, control air and water pollution, maintain ocean health, and improve food security, which is severely affected by climate change and extreme weather events.

Based on the above, Mukhtar, the specialized researcher in artificial intelligence and human rights, urged all African countries as well as civil society organizations to take serious steps toward adopting AI-based applications in order to mitigate the adverse effects of environmental degradation on human rights.

At the end of his speech, Mukhtar reiterated the pressing need to include AI-based technologies in African countries’ curricula, especially in coastal areas, the most vulnerable to harmful climate changes.