AI Applications in Environmental, Cultural, and Geological Heritage Conservation

Rapid economic development and associated land conversion and expansion of built infrastructure threatens environmental, cultural, and geological heritage. Conservationists face multiple challenges, including shortage of funding and conflicts of interest with multiple stakeholder groups. Modern technology offers a broad range of tools that can potentially facilitate conservation projects and help overcome multiple problems. Particularly, strong tools are those powered by artificial intelligence (AI). However, lack of awareness of potential applications of AI may hinder their widespread adoption. The urgent need to save environmental, cultural, and geological objects that will help ensure human well-being and prosperity of future generations is also included in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Potential applications of AI in conservation are reviewed here and some practical recommendations are provided.